By Audrey Raymonda John
Sub-Inspector Kamanda attached to the Wellington Police Post in Freetown has explained during cross examination that he arrested the first accused, Abdulai Kamara, and three others based on the intelligence given to him by community people at Old Wharf on the 11th of September, 2023.
Kamara and three others were arraigned before Magistrate Hadiru K Daboh of Ross Road court No.3 for the offences conspiracy to commit felony, riotous conduct, obstruction and unlawful assembly.
It was alleged that on the accused, on Monday 11th September, 2023 at Old Wharf Community in Wellington in conspired with unknown persons to commit a crime to wit, unlawful assembly.
The charge sheet further that on the same date and place in Freetown, behaved in a riotous manner.
The police on the same date and place, the accused obstructed the free flow of traffic by blocking traffic contrary to the Road Traffic Act.
After reading the charges, defense counsel R. Mansaray was about to raise an objection on count three, but Magistrate Daboh rejected saying he cannot entertain such objection.
Taking the witness stand, the first prosecution witness (PW) 1, Sub-Inspector Magnus Kamanda, recognized the accused and could recall 11th September, 2023.
Kamanda said on the said date, he was on duty at PMB in Wellington Junction with his colleagues and some members of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, (RSLAF) when he received intelligence. Upon that information he said he ordered his team to visit the crime scene at Maxwell Street in Wellington, but he said nothing of police interest was discovered.
He said they advised the youth and went back to PMB Junction where they were informed that some youth have barricaded the main road leading to Old Wharf Community.
The witness said reaching at the crime scene, they discovered four vehicle tires and wooden benches were discovered.
“My Lord, we removed the items from the road and advised the youth to maintain the peace”, he stated.
He said on their way back to PMB, they met a police officer and explained to him what transpired between them and the youth.
He said he advised them to go back to the crime scene, upon their arrival; they saw the first second and third accused and were identified by the community people who were among those obstructing traffic on the day in question.
Subsequently, he said they were arrested and handed over to a police Mr. Alicious and on their way; the fourth accused was apprehended and taken to the nearest police post.
Having concluded his testimony, testimony, the prosecutor applied for a subpoena to be served on the second prosecution witness.
Defence counsel, R. Mansaray cross examined the witness on behalf of his clients.
Lawyer Mansaray applied for bail on behalf of the first and the second accused citing section 79 of the Criminal Procedure Act of 1965.
He assured the court that his clients have reliable sureties willing and ready to stand on their behalf, if granted bail.
He promised that they will not interfere with the prosecution’s witnesses.
Magistrate Daboh refused the accused bail and remanded at the Male Correctional Centre on Pademba Road in Freetown.
The matter was adjourned to 21st September, 2023.