August 12, 2021
By Audrey John
One of Sierra Leone famous artist, Alhaji Amadu Bah aka LAJ has been arraigned before sitting Magistrate Sahr Keikura of Pademba Road Court No.1 for Preliminary Investigation for assault on police and other related charges.
Reading his charge sheet, the police alleged on count one that on Saturday 17th July 2021, at the Criminal Investigation Department Headquarters on Pademba Road, the accused assaulted police Constable 12326 Joesph Lamboi whiles executing his lawful duty.
In count two, it was alleged that on the same date, at the custody facility of the Criminal Investigation Department, the accused behaved in a disorderly manner.
In count three and four the police also alleged that the accused behaved in a riotous manner. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Taking his first witness, Assistant Superintendent of police A Daboh docked Police Constable 12636 Joesph Lamboi who recognized the accused.
Explaining his ordeal, Joseph Lamboi attached at the Criminal Investigation Department Headquarters (CID) said that he was on duty on Saturday 17th July 2021 during his night shift when Supt. Moijueh and another entered the compound with a police and private vehicle. He said among them were three civilians including the accused.
The police witness said Supt. Moijueh instructed them to issued medical request form to one of the men on board the private vehicle.
He said the lockup officer and one Micheal Tholly took the two people to the hospital.
Explaining further he said Detective Inspector Assanatu Smith asked him to accompany the accused to the custody facility.
“As soon as we open the first door, the accused shout, gentlemen, wake up this is your boy LAJ, am here to feed you all in the morning”, he explained.
Testifying further, the witness said on hearing that, the suspects who had already slept wake up and on seeing that they decided to put him on open detention.
He said few minutes later I heard a loud bang on the door which prompted him to go and check.
He said on arrival, he met the accused kicking the door and when he questioned him he responded that he is not comfortable where he was and that he wanted to go and stay where the other suspects are kept.
The witness said he went and explained what happened to Detective Inspector Hajaratu Smith who instructed him to close the door.
He said they went where the accused was and as soon as the accused saw them, he commented that they will not go out and cross a table at the door preventing them access of exit.
The witness went on to explained that the accused requested for the key to the lock up and when he refused to hand it over, he slapped him and removed the key from him with invectives.
He said the violence action put up by the accused made Inspector Smith fled leaving him with the accused who said he will never release him.
“I took orders and sit down”, he stated
The witness said two of his colleagues intervene, asked him to give back the keys but he refused.
He said later, one ASP Bongay surfaced and requested for the keys but he refused to comply. He said and other officers Supt. Bayo and ASP Joe Akie came and took the key from the accused.
He said in the morning, he reported the matter and the accused was taken to Benghazi. He was issued a police medical request form to go for examination and treatment at Connaught hospital.
In cross examination by defense counsel I Macfoy, the witness confirmed that he reported the matter the following day.
The witness in a question put to him responded that he used to carry riffle which carried across his chest.
Looking at the medical request form, the name of the person allegedly assaulted the witness was written as Alhaji Jalloh aka LAJ.
In continuation of his examination in chief, the witness said he also asked the witness that beside himself and the accused person there was a female in the prison who is not a police neither a suspect the witness respond and said not to his knowledge
The Lawyer representing the accused person Ibrahim Macfoy applied for bail for and on behalf of the accused person that he is a Sierra Leonean resident within his jurisdiction he is not a flight risk no will he jump bail he has reliable sureties who are ready to enter into recognizance on his behalf he made his application pursuant to section 79 sub section 3 of the Criminal procedure Act of 1965.
Magistrate Keikura giving his ruling said taken into consideration the seriousness of the matter he refused bail and adjourned the matter to the 13th August 2021 and the accused is in the Male correctional centre in Freetown. ASP Aminatu Daboh is prosecuting the matter.