By: Hafsatu Z Bangura
Justice Aiah Simeon Allieu of Siaka Steven Street High Court in Freetown has on Thursday 19th January ordered a bench warrant for the arrest and detention of Simeon Amara for his repeated absence since empaneled to serve as juror in a murder matter.
The bench warrant came immediately after the foreman, Brima Sama told the court that Simone’s line has been called countless times with no response.
The arrest and detention is to be effective from Thursday 19th January 2023 to 2nd February 2023 when the matter will comes up again for further hearing.
The judge said he will follow the enforcement of the order to the last point and that the friendship between the bench and Jurors is now suspended in the interest of expeditious and fair trial.
“The jurors were my friends, but I will suspend that friendship until we do the right thing,” said Justice Allieu.
Simeon Amara joins Stella Williams who was ordered by Justice Emy Wright on Thursday the 19th January did same for a female juror who was remanded.
Simeon sat only 3 times since he was empaneled in a matter of murder which occurred on Saturday 1st January 2022 at Femi Turner drive, Goderich in Freetown where Abdulai Koroma allegedly murdered Elizabeth Vincent.