By: Audrey John
In a recent court proceeding at Freetown, Sierra Leone, the sixth accused individual faced charges related to misprision of treason and unauthorized wearing of military uniform. The accused, whose identity remains undisclosed, appeared before Justice Komba Kamanda on counts 11 and 12, as per the allegations laid out on the charge sheet.
The prosecution, led by State Prosecutor AJM Bockarie, sought the inclusion of an additional witness, Sergeant Gibrilla Fadika, under Section 188 of the Criminal Procedure Act No. 32 of 1965. Sergeant Fadika, a member of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), testified as Prosecution Witness Number Four.
He recounted an incident at Juba Barracks where he observed the accused in full military attire alongside another individual, Sergeant Gibrilla Fadika detailed accompanying the accused to his home in the Hamilton area, where the accused purchased fuel before proceeding towards Goderich.
However, their journey was interrupted by security officers, preventing entry into the area. Subsequently, the accused disappeared, leaving Fadika to return the motorbike to Juba Barracks.
During cross-examination, the accused challenged the witness’s account, alleging discrepancies in the police investigation and denial of certain statements attributed to them.
Prosecution Witness Number Five, Sergeant Philip Bob Smart of the Aberdeen Police Station, testified regarding the accused’s custody at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters. He described obtaining interview caution statements from the accused, with subsequent follow-up interrogations conducted on December 11, 2023.
The cross-examination revealed tensions between the accused and the police investigators, with the accused disputing the authenticity of statements attributed to them, particularly one purportedly involving an individual named Bai Mamoud Bangura.
Justice Komba Kamanda adjourned the proceedings to February 15, 2024, for further hearings, allowing both prosecution and defense ample opportunity to present their cases.
The case underscores the complexities surrounding allegations of treason and unauthorized military conduct, shedding light on the intricate legal processes within Sierra Leone’s judicial system.
