By: Audrey Raymonda John
Defense counsel Ibrahim Turay representing the first accused honorable member of Parliament Mohamed Bangura has on the 28th February 2022 open their case before the principle Magistrate Mark Ngegba on the Pademba Road Court No.1 in Freetown on the alleged bye election at Sambaia Bendugu between Mohamed Bangura, and the All People Congress Party chair lady Yabom Sesay against the state.
51yrs old Mohamed Bangura Honourable Member of parliament representing the All People Congress Party (APC) and 63yrs Yabom Sesay APC chair lady stand before the Principal Magistrate Ngegba on five counts charges to wit Assault on police, insulting behavior, intimidation, Riotous conduct and obstruction of police duty.
According to police it was alleged that on the 11th June 2022 at Mathora village, Khalifa Rowala Chiefdom in the Tonkolili district the North East Region of Sierra Leone assaulted Inspector General of Police Gabriel G. M.T Tommy whilst in due execution of his lawful duties.
On counts two at the same place and date the accused persons did use insulting words to the annoyance of the said Gabriel Tommy in order to provoke him to commit the breach of the peace.
On counts three the accused persons wrongfully and without legal authority intimidate the said Gabriel Tommy by threatening to hit him with his vehicle.
On counts four the accused persons behaved in a riotous manner.
On count five the accused persons obstructed assistant inspector General of Police Gabriel Tommy whilst in due execution of his lawful duties.
Honorable Member of Parliament Mohamed Bangura testified before the court, he denied all the allegations leveled against him before the principle Magistrate.
He recalled on the 11th June 2022 he was at Makeni heading to Magburaka in the morning hours heading to Sambaia Bendugu with Dr Samura Kamara and a host of other supporters of the APC for a bye election campaign at Sambaia Bendugu.
on their way to Magburaka they were stop at the checkpoint at Mathora village and he saw the Inspector General of Police Gabriel Tommy who stop his drive Mohamed Jalloh and the inspector General of police told him that they were not to proceed but he continue talking with the inspector General of police he stated.
At this stage the Defense Lawyer Ibrahim Turay asked for an adjournment stating it is for the interest of Justice.
Magistrate Ngegba adjourned the matter to the 3rd of March 2023 for further hearing.