By: Audrey Raymonda John
Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court No. 2, on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, during the ongoing preliminary investigation into the alleged Treason Trial against Amadu Koita Makolo and 11 others, issued an order for former APC Youth Minister Bai Mamoud Bangura to be brought to court on the next adjourned date. This decision followed the lead defense counsel, Lawyer Africanus Sorie Sesay’s, notification to the court that the accused was unwell and unable to attend. A medical certificate was presented to support this claim.
Before issuing the order, Lawyer Africanus Sorie Sesay had informed the court about his client’s health condition and provided a medical report to the prosecution team. In response, lead state prosecutor Lawyer Ahmed G. M. Bockarie questioned the authenticity of the medical report and expressed a desire to verify its source, as it came from the police. He requested an adjournment to further examine the document.
The defense counsel also made an application for access to their clients at the Pademba Road Prison to adequately prepare for their defense. Magistrate Bangura granted this request, emphasizing that there was no malice against the accused persons.
In addition to ordering Bai Mamoud Bangura’s appearance on the next adjourned date for a fitness assessment, Magistrate Bangura directed the prison authorities to allow the defense counsels access to their clients. The case was adjourned to Thursday, January 11, 2024, for further proceedings.
It is worth noting that the twelve accused persons, including Amadu Koita Makolo, Mohamed Jalloh, Sergeant 10020 Emmanuel Salifu Kamara, Ramatu Kamanda Conteh, Alimatu Hassan Bangura, Hassan Leigh, Mohamed Woodie, Bai Mamadu Bangura, ASP Ibrahim Sesay, Tamba Yamba, Kabba Kamara, and Abdul Sorie Hassan Kamara, are facing charges of treason and other related offenses under the laws of Sierra Leone.
The state prosecuting counsels include the Director of Public Prosecution Osman Kanu, AJM Bockarie, A. Jalloh, A. V. Koroma, and T. B. Zizer, while the lead defense counsels for all the accused persons are lawyers Musa Pious Sesay, M. M. Kamara, A. F. Sesay, Ade Macauley, Brima Koroma, A. Bah, S. A. Conteh, N. K. Kamara, and other legal representatives.