January 26, 2022
By: Audrey John
Led in evidence by ASP Ibrahim S Mansaray, third prosecution witness, Detective Sergeant 3906 Onia Patricia Qui attached to Criminal Investigation Department headquarters, has on the 25th January,2022 testified before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Pademba Road Court No.1 against Alhaji Amadu Bah aka LAJ for alleged assault on police.
The witness said she recognized the accused and also recognize the complainant, recalled on 23rd July 2021, when she was on duty at the female lockup, CID headquarters in the evening hours, while she was on duty, she saw Detective Inspector Jariatu Smith together with the accused at the veranda, she added that Inspector Jariatu told her to be with the accused up sixth floor until the morning hours.
She continues that while the accused was up stairs, he left there and came down at the main lockup custody and he asked the complainant to open the main door for him to enter where the women stay, but complainant told him to wait upstairs until the morning hours.
She said whiles they were on the discussion, he saw a lady and he said the lady is the girlfriend of the complainant, adding that the main lockup was not on duty and he has took the victim to Connaught hospital for treatment. She said the accused took the keys of the custody from the complainant saying that he is the boss for that particular night because no one will go out and come in.
She said when the complainant tried to retrieve the keys from the accused, he slapped him on his jour, the witness said she later went upstairs to collect her phone when she heard a heavy sound of the main door of the custody and called inspector Bah and informed her about the incident.
She said whiles the accused refused to open the door, she also called Inspector Sanu to also informed him, she added that whiles they were waiting, some suspects in custody were shouting, she later saw the Deputy Head of CID together with OSD officers arrived at the scene, upon their arrival, the Deputy Head of CID asked the accused to hand over the keys which he did.
She said the complainant later opened the main door leading to the cell and the accused was later taken to OSD headquarters.
The witness said she later made statement to the police.
During cross examination by Lawyer Madieu Sesay on behalf of the accused person, the witness said during the incident she was on duty at the station.
The witness said the down stairs is for the Male suspects and upstairs is for female suspects, adding that during the incident there were female suspects upstairs. The witness further said it is not common for male and female to be in one cell, but the accused was asked to go upstairs.
Defense further asked the witness if it was the accused who requested for him to be downstairs, in response the witness said yes.
During cross examination the witness confirmed that the accused slapped the complainant, she also confirmed that the accused handed over the keys to the Deputy Head of CID. She further confirmed that the accused was taken to OSD headquarters.
The accused person is before the court on three counts of assault on police, disorderly behavior and ritious conduct.
According to the charge sheet, the accused on Saturday 17th July 2021, at the Criminal Investigation Department headquarters custody facility, Pademba Road, assaulted police constable 12639 Joseph Lamboi whilst executing his lawful duties.
It further alleged that the accused on the same date and place, he behave in a riotous manner.
Meanwhile Magistrate Kekura adjourned the matter to 9th February 2022. Whiles the accused is on bail.