By: Hafsatu Z Bangura
Justice Aiah Simeon Allieu has sentenced one Abu Bakarr Bangura to a five years jail term or pay a fine of NLe20,000 for electoral malpractice.
The convict was standing trial on three counts charges of forgery of voters registration card, making a voter registration card without lawful authority, and unlawful possession of a voters card contrary to the Public Election Act No. 17 of 2022, and was prosecuted by Lawyer Ahmed G. Maxwell Bockarie Principal State Counsel at the Law Officers Building.
The particulars of the offense stated that Abu Bakarr Bangura between the 1st of January 2021 and the 24th of September 2022, forged a voter registration card in Freetown, adding that on the same date and same place Abu Bakarr Bangura without lawful authority made and was found in possession of a voter registration card.
Upon his first appearance after the charges were read and explained to him, the convict pleaded guilty to all three counts of charges levied against him by the state.
Accused before conviction pleaded for mercy, he stated that he is a family man and that he sells potato for a living by taking care of his family with that.
Accused had no defense lawyer and was sentenced to a five years imprisonment or pay a fine of 20Million Leones and was cautioned and discharged on count 3 of the said indictment.