By: Audrey John
After spending nine days in police custody, the popular musician Alhaji Amadu Bah, alias LAJ has on the 20th of June appeared before Magistrate Sahr Kekura, presiding over Pademba Road Court No. 1 to answer to allegations of robbery with violence, and assault on.
The accused, LAJ was dressed in a red T-shirt and short trousers and had his dreadlocks shaved off, was unable to stand properly on his feet, and was given a chair to sit on. His lawyers alleged that his inability to stand may not be unconnected to some disease he may have contracted while he was being shaved by the police. They further alleged that a single razor blade was used on him and others who were in custody with him.
According to the police, the accused, Alhaji Amadu Bah (LAJ) on Sunday 12th June 2022 at Leonco Fuel Station at Main Motor Road, Congo Cross in Freetown, stole and robbed Francess Wilson of the sum of Le 2,090.000 (two million ninety thousand Leones).
Police also alleged that the accused, Alhaji Amadu Bah, on the same date and time, with intent to steal, robbed Ishmael Kamara of the sum of Le 4,200,000, (four million two hundred thousand Leones) property of the fuel station.
It was also alleged that the accused, robbed Francess Wilson of the sum of Le 2, 090,000 property of the Fuel Station. Police also alleged that the accused, Bah robbed Christiana Koroma Tecno’s mobile phone valued at Le 1,600,000 (one million six hundred thousand Leones).
Police further alleged that the accused assaulted Musa Mansaray in a manner causing grievous bodily harm.
Consequently, police slammed four counts charge of robbery with violence contrary to Section 21(b) and 23 (1b) of the Larceny Act of 1916 and assault occasioning actual bodily harm contrary to Section 47 of the Offences Against the Persons Act.
The accused Bah has pleaded not guilty as charged after the charges were being read and explained to him.
Persecuting Counsel, lawyer Yusif Isaac Sesay, said he received the court file not too long before the matter was brought to court. He, therefore, requested an adjournment.
On the other hand, the lead defence counsel, lawyer I. P Mamie and lawyer Madieu Sesay requested bail for and on behalf of his client. He premised his bail plea on Section 79(2) of the Criminal Procedure Act No. 32 of 1965 and the Bail Regulation of 2018.
Magistrate Kekura noted the seriousness of the matter and adjourned the matter to Wednesday 22nd June 2022.
After the adjournment, both defence counsels urged Magistrate Kekura to make specific orders with regards to the health condition of the accused, but Magistrate Kekura disclosed that no medical request has been brought before the Court, adding that there is a medical doctor at the correctional facility that should examine him and make the necessary recommendation.
