By: Audrey Raymonda John
The eighth prosecution witness on the matter between the state and twenty eight rioters, Inspector Alfred Conteh attached at the Ross Road Police Division has narrated how properties belonging to the state are set ablaze.
Led in evidence by state counsel AJM Bockarie, the witness said on the 10th of August 2022, he was on duty when the received an intelligent about a gathering around up gun turn table.
He said based on the intelligent the operation officer Assistant Superintendent of police Mohamed Kamara and other police personal including himself board on police vehicles SLP 065 to go and see what was happening.
The witness said upon arrival at up gun roundabout he saw the accused persons in a violent mood holding placards in their hands with different inscription like freedom of speech; we don’t need hardship among others.
He said they highlighted from the vehicle and the operation officer made a peaceful approach to them and they in turn fled in to different direction pelting stones on them ( the police).
Explaining further, the said the third, fourth, seventh, ninety, tenth and eleventh accused persons were arrested and taken to the station. He said they were handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department for investigation.
The eighth witness said the proceeded to kissy road where they arrested the sixth and thirteenth accused persons.
The witness said at kissy road he received a phone called from police constable 13684 Komba J telling him that they needed rescue as they have been attacked at the Hill side bye pass road. He said on arrival at the said area, he saw saw the twelve crash barriers deployed at that road to prevent vehicles and motorbike from plying whiles CSE are working on fire. ” My lord we put off the fire, rescue our personal and took them to the station”, he stated.
Narrated further, the witness said they later heard that the PWD police post has been attacked by the accused persons.
He said the left for the crime scene and on their way they encountered another road block and burning of tires.
“My lord we dismantled the road block and arrested some of the accused persons”, he said.
The witness said on arrival at PWD police post they observed that the doors to the cells are damaged; documents scattered on the floor and the motorbikes on fire. He said they rescue their colleagues and the fifteenth accused who was arrested to Ross Road Police Station.
Testing the evidence in cross examination by defense counsel the witness said at the time they received the intelligent there was no curfew.
The witness confirmed that he cannot tell who actually do the burning of tires and erection of road block. He said the rioters started pelting stones on them when they arrive at the scene.
The witness further confirmed in cross examination that the accused persons were in a violent mood. He said his boss tried to calm them down but to no avail.
At the conclusion of cross examination, magistrate Marke Ngegba adjourned the matter to Thursday 3rd of November 2022 for the prosecution to dock their next witness.