By: Audrey Raymonda John
After the prosecution led a few witnesses in a preliminary investigation into alleged illegal importation of arms and ammunition involving two individuals and a charge of aiding and abetting involving a Member of Parliament of the main opposition (APC) Party, the prosecution yesterday indicated that they have closed their case.
Nabieu Raymond Bangura and Kortu Refell were faced with several counts charges of illegal importation of arms and ammunition after police alleged that both accused, on the 12th July 2021, imported arms and ammunition into the country without licenses.
Honorable Emmanuel Saidu Conteh, who was accused of aiding the process, was faced with a few count charges of aiding and abetting.
During the course of the preliminary investigation, a few of the witnesses who testified in court gave similar but distinct explanation of how the arms and ammunitions were discovered at the Queen Elizabeth Quay.
During yesterday’s sitting, defense counsels were all present and willing to cross-examine potential, when State Counsel, Yusif Isaac Sesay rose up and stated that the prosecution has closed its case.
Defense counsel requested for an adjournment for them to respond to the Court, in respect of the closure of the prosecution’s case and the first and second accused persons were absent and the state made an application for bench warrant which was granted by the magistrate main while Magistrate Mark Ngegba adjourned the matter to the 1st February 2022. All accused persons had earlier been placed on bail.