By: Audrey Raymonda John
Ali Jaffal, Abdul Jaffal, Abdallah Jaffal, Mohamed Jaffal, Abass Antar, Naif Antar, and Hassan Jaffal made another appearance before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court No. 2, facing charges related to the alleged wounding of one Adam Hamdan.
The accused were standing trial on seven counts, including wounding, assault, affray, throwing missiles, and disorderly behavior. According to the indictment, the incident occurred on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at the Young Sports Club (YSC) facility on Wilkinson Road in Freetown.
The charges state that the accused persons maliciously wounded Adam Hamdan and Mohamed Aroune. They are also accused of behaving in a disorderly manner, assaulting the two victims, and engaging in a fight with the intent to instill fear in the public. Additionally, the accused allegedly threw stones and sticks to further cause public alarm.
When the charges were read and explained to the accused during their first appearance, no plea was taken.
After the prosecution presented its witnesses and the defense counsels made a “no case” submission, the file was withdrawn for judgment.
Magistrate Bangura delivered his judgment, finding the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 7th accused persons guilty, while discharging the 6th accused person.
In response to the “no case” submission, state prosecutor Yusuf Isaac Sesay expressed confusion over the certainty of the defense’s submission. He noted that the accused were separately represented and that a joint “no case” submission had now been made by their counsel. Sesay stated that he relied on the statements from the six accused persons and highlighted the testimony of prosecution witnesses 1, 2, and 3, as well as the confessional statements made by the accused. He argued that there was sufficient evidence against the accused.
The accused persons were represented by the Bar Association President, Tuma A. Jabbie.
Magistrate Bangura adjourned the matter to March 12, 2025, for the final judgment.
