September 17, 2021
By: Francis F.M.Harding
For the second time Tamba Dauda the Director of Lands and Surveys of the Ministry of Lands and Country Planning appeared before Justice Mohamed Bawah at the High Court in Freetown on the 16th September, 2021 for contempt of court; that on the 13th September, 2021 the court issued warrant of arrest for the defendant Tamba Dauda as he failed to obey the order of the court to countersign a survey plan.
The defendant is before the High Court against Munya Ventures Limited and ORS as plaintiffs. It could be recalled that on the 7th September, 2021 the High Court ordered Tamba Dauda, the Director of Lands and Surveys of the Ministry of Lands and Country Planning but failed to do what the court order.
Representing the defendant Lawyer Agnes Jabbie said she has spoken to the plaintiff Lawyer O. Jalloh that she is just coming into this matter and request the court to grant her 74 hours to peruse the file. Lawyer Jabbie said she has spoken to the Director of Lands and Surveys that there is no documents in the file and she was informed that the Ministry has to take line of action and that there are due process followed at the Ministry of Lands and Country Planning. She continued that she has just be given supporting documents even though they have been given to the license survivor but the license is not in the file.
When responding to the defense counsel, Lawyer Osman Jalloh objected to the application for time and that the matter started on the 14th September, 2021 and certain undertaken were made in the court and the defendant was granted bail. Jalloh said as for this moment the defendant has not been fully complied to what the court orders him to do. He added that his colleague spoke to him in confidence that they should reconcile.
The plaintiff Lawyer, O. Jalloh said they have cooperated with the counsel for the defendant over the past 48 hours to ensure there is solution given that he has no doubt over Lawyer Jabbie of what she had said to him. Lawyer Jalloh said before the adjourned date he wants to be on the clear footing so when they will return the judge they will be guided.
Justice Mohamed Bawah said that Lawyer Jalloh is on the clear path and bail continued for the defendant and the matter has been adjourned to the 17th September, 2021 at 10:30 AM.