By: Audrey John
Defense Counsel F.M. Fomba representing the All People’s Congress (APC) Organizing Secretary Karamoh Kabba and fourteen accused has cross examined the investigating Officer Detectives police Constable Turay Brima 9823 in the ongoing matter previously before the suspended Magistrate Sahr Kekura and currently Magistrate Mark Ngegba at the Pademba Road Court No.1.
The accused persons appeared before the court on five counts charges of unlawful assemble, conspiracy, riotous incitement and intimidation contrary to the laws of Sierra Leones.
It was alleged by the police that the accused, on Monday December 13, 2021 at Siaka Stevens Street in Freetown conspired with unknown persons to commit a felony, to wit, unlawful assemble.
The charge sheet furthered that the accused, on the same date and place in Freetown behaved in riotous manner, used inciting words and intimidating others.
Continuation of cross examination lawyer Fomba asked the investigating officer if his investigation was thorough, which he responded in the affirmative.
Mr. Fomba asked the witness if during the course of his investigation interviewed independent witnesses.
Responding, he said he interviewed two independent witnesses and disclosed to him they saw the accused behaving in a riotous manner.
He asked him whether he could recall the alleged crime scene where the accused were apprehended.
In his reply, the witness told the bench that the accused were arrested at Siaka Stevens Street in Freetown.
Lawyer Fomba put it to him that the accused were charged with the offences based on advised by the Head of Operations at the Central Police Division. The witness answered no.
He suggested to witness that the accused were arrested at different part of Freetown.
He said they were at the aforesaid early stated.
He put it to him that the second accused was apprehended along Solider Street, which he said no, adding that the fifteen accused, Karamoh Kabba was apprehended at Siaka Stevens Street in Freetown.
He put it again to the witness that the fifteen accused was apprehended within the prescient of Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters on Pademba Road in Freetown.
He asked the witness if he aware of the fact that second accused, was attending to the fourth accused when he fell down and he was subsequently arrested by police officer.
Responding, the witness said he could not recall.
After cross examination by Defence Counsel, the prosecutor, Sergeant Lahai told the bench he had no reexamination and sought for a date, application was granted. The accused are on bail and the matter was adjourned to September 22nd 2022.
