By Audrey Raymonda John
Forty-four-year-old Victor Shanka, a former police recruit, made another appearance before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Pademba Road Court No.1 in Freetown on a count of perverting the course of justice, contrary to law.
According to the particulars of the offense, on Wednesday, 27th September 2023, in Freetown, knowing well the circumstances about a planned coup to overthrow the government of President Julius Maada Bio, Victor Shanka, on the same day and other days thereafter, fabricated evidence with the intent to pervert the course of justice.
When the charge was read and explained to the accused person, no plea was taken.
Sergeant 9939 led the prosecution witness, number two Sergeant 8904 Solomon Amadu, attached to the operation unit at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters, Pademba Road, Freetown. He recognized the accused person in the dock on Wednesday, 27th September 2023, while on duty. The accused person was handed over to him together with handwritten documents on the said date. Together with Sergeant 1818 Combay H.A.S, they obtained a voluntary caution statement from the accused person in the Krio language, which was recorded in English. The statement was read over and explained to the accused person. He admitted it to be true and correct by affixing his right-hand thumbprint, witnessed by Sergeant 1818 Combay H.A.S, who signed as the recorder. Since then, the charge statement was in custody of the police. The said voluntary caution statement was produced and tendered in court to form part of the court records.
On 4th October 2023, Superintendent Alusine Dumbuya, together with the accused person, visited backstreet where the accused person said he held meetings on the same date they visited. During town, together with the accused person who indicated that he held another meeting, the team returned to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters, Pademba Road, Freetown. The witness said nothing of his allegations were proved, and a case of enquiry file was sent to the legal administration for legal advice (DPP).
On 29th January 2024, the advice was received from the Law Officers Department that there is sufficient evidence against the accused person and that the accused person should be charged with perverting the course of justice. The said advice was produced and tendered in court to form part of the court records.
On 5th February 2024, the accused person was charged with a single count of perverting the course of justice. The accused person was cautioned and questioned in the Krio language, which was recorded in English. The charge statement was read over and explained to the accused person, who admitted it to be true and correct by affixing his right-hand thumbprint, witnessed by Sergeant 1818 Combay H.A.S. Since then, the charge statement was in the custody of the police. The statement was produced and tendered in court to form part of the court records.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Kekura refused bail and sent the accused person to the male correctional facility in Freetown. The matter was adjourned to the 5th March 2024.
