October 8, 2021
By Audrey John
Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Pademba Road Court No.1 has granted one hundred million Leone bail to Mohamed Massaquoi who allegedly declared the head of the president.
The accused person was arraigned before him on two count charges of carrying offensive weapon and disorderly behavior.
It was alleged on the charge sheet that on Wednesday 22nd September 2021 at State Avenue was found carrying offensive weapon to wit machete demanding for the head of the president.
On count two, the accused was found behaving in a disorderly manner.
Second Prosecution witness Lans Corporal 18180130 Amidu Fofanah attached at presidential force guard said he recognized the accused person and that on the 22nd September 2021 whiles on duty at the said office he went across cotton tree on his way he saw the accused person heading to state house with cutlass in his hand.
Witness added that the accuse was dressed in white gown shouting “Alhauwakbarr” twice and told me he was going for the president and his securities and he will make sure he kill President Julius Maada Bio.
“I asked the accused to stay back but refused and said he will only obey orders when he has completed his mission,” witness said.
Pw2 said the accused threaten to harm them if he tried stopping him ; later he was grabbed hold of and was taken to the Criminal Investigation Department headquarters Pademba Road were statement was obtained from him.
Cross examination by defense counsel, Zachariah Azibo Kanu said on that fateful day the President was not in town and that accused cannot be in possession of such weapon. While the defense counsel was posing questions to the witness the prosecution objected towards certain question posed to the witness.
Post the question that it couldn’t be possible for the accused should go and kill the president who was out town and the prosecution objects towards it.
The witness was also asked to explain the term “Alhauwakbarr” when translated mean God is great. The witness also said he wasn’t the only one on duty on the day of the incident.
Counsel representing the accused person renewed his bail application on behalf of the accused person. Many other questions were posed to the witness.
The accused person pleaded for mercy to the magistrate by telling him that he has not been in any criminal matters before or been a member of any cliques’ gang. He said he is a father of two and if jail his kids will suffer without him.
Magistrate Keikura granted the accused person bail in the sum of One hundred million Leones one surety in like sum surety must be elderly citizens and should produce his/ her address in Freetown to be approved by the Deputy Acting Registrar.
Sergeant 9155 Dwight McCarthy prosecuting the matter and has been adjourned to the 20th October 2021.