By: Audrey Raymonda John
Six alleged rioters, Ibrahim Kaprie Kamara, Samuel Williams, Ishmael G. Kamara, Micheal Fallah, Bundu Kamara and Mohamed Ibrahim Kargbo appeared before Magistrate Shar Kekura of Ross Road Court No.1 in Freetown for allegedly pelting and throwing missiles at the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) personnel and bailiffs.
According to the police the bailiffs and SLP personnel were at there to execute court order.
The accused were arraigned before the court for riotous conduct, disorderly behaviour, carrying offensive weapons and throwing missiles contrary to the Public Order Act No. 46 of 1965.
Police records showed that the accused, on 13th November 2023 at John Obey Lane, in Waterloo on the outskirts of Freetown, were found in possession of offensive weapons to wit, cutlasses and at the same time were found behaving in riotous and disorderly manner.
Prosecution witness (PW)1, a Regional Operations Officer at the Regional Ross Road Police Division, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), B. Bangura said he recognised the accused.
CSP Bangura further highlighted his duties and responsibilities including monitoring operations and provides security for bailiff to execute court order among others.
He said he recalled the date in question.
On the said date, he was tasked to provide security officers for bailiff to execute court order at John Obey Lane in Waterloo.
He said he and his team boarded SLP 340 and left for the John Obey Lane adding that upon their arrival at the crime scene, he saw barricades on the street and a lot of youths were gathered shouting that none security apparatus will remove them from the grandfather’s property.
CSP Bangura said his team cleared off the barricades and engaged the youths.
The purpose of the engagement he said was to tell the functions of the police and bailiffs, but the accused couldn’t listen to them.
He said the youths started pelting stones at the police despite he said they didn’t relent.
He said they tried to persuade them, but couldn’t avail as more youths were joining them.
As situation escalated, he said they fired tear gass canisters on them to despise them due to their riotous conduct.
He said during the process three of accused were arrested in possession of offensive weapons, cutlasses.
Subsequently he said the accused were taken to the Ross Road Police Station including the exhibits and handed them over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) wings of Sierra Leone Police for investigation.
He said he reduced his findings into report.
The report was produced and tendered marked exhibit (A1-2)
He said he and his team pursued them and the accused in the dock were arrested.
Defence counsel, who refused to disclose his name to this medium for a reason best known to him applied for cross examination to be deferred.
Counsel also applied for bail on behalf of the accused assuring that the court his clients have reliable sureties willing and ready to enter into their cognizance.
He told bench that the accused with not interfered with prosecution’s witnesses and that they have fix abode within the Freetown jurisdiction.
He said the accused have learned their lessons while on remand.
He based his application pursuant to section 79(2) and (3) of the Criminal Procedure Act No. 32 of 1965.
The accused were refused bail due to the seriousness of the allegations.
Magistrate said thought riotous conduct is summary offence, but is a very serious offence because it will cause unrest for the entire community.
The matter was adjourned to 29th November, 2023 for cross examination.