July 15, 2021
By: Francis F.M.Harding
The First Police witness Mr. Tamba Dauda surveyor for lands and housing at the Ministry of Lands and the Environment has testified before Magistrate Mark Ngegba of Court No 2 Pademba Road in Freetown on the 13th July, 2021in a matter of trespass contrary to section 15 (1) (b) of the Public Order Act No. 46 of 1965, malicious damage contrary to section 51 of the Malicious Damage Act 1861, deforestation contrary to section 40 of State Land Act of 1960 and of being in possession of an offensive weapons contrary to section 16 (1) of the Public Order Act No. 46 of 1965 involving the accused persons Ansu Sesay, Abu Bakarr Bangura, Abdul Aziz Koroma, Victoria Bangura, and Moses Nyuma who were charged to court on four counts.
Testifying in court, The first Police Witness (PW1) said he is a civil servant at the Ministry of Lands, Housing and the Environment. Witness said some of his duties are to protect and give directive to the activities of the Ministry, to protect and monitor all State land, responsibility for surveying and mapping of all lands in the country. Witness said he recognized the accused person in the dock. Witness said he received a called from Mr. Brima Konneh informing him that groups of people lead by Mr. Abdul Aziz are demolishing structure that was built by the Ministry. Witness said he called the Land Environment Crime Unit and also the Head of Operational Service Division and they gave him some personnel’s and they went at the said site at No. 2 river.
Witness said upon their arrival they met five of the accused persons have been arrested by the Military Personnel. Witness said the accused is on the hiding and they later went to his house at Tokeh. Witness said the accused person who was on hiding was later arrested.
Witness said some military personnel were at the said site securing the land for government. Witness said all the structures have been removed. Witness continued to say that a lot of destruction and deforestation have been taking place. Witness said two hundred and twenty six bacons were destroyed. Witness said the property belongs to the government. Witness said police took some photograph of the destruction that was done by the accused persons. Witness said he made statement at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Freetown.
Under cross examination, defense Lawyer C. Pujeh is representing the first, second, third, fourth and fifth accused persons.
Defense lawyer asked witness how many acres of land they have at the said place? Witness over 200 acres. Defense Lawyer asked witness whether signed boards are erected to indicate no trespass? Witness said at the moment none is there. Defense lawyer asked witness if the said land was deforested before his clients occupied it? Witness said they came and deforested the forest. Defense counsel asked if there are structures in the forest. Witness said yes. Defense counsel asked what witness is referring to as offensive weapons? Witness said cutlasses, knifes and sticks. Defense counsel asked witness if some of the pillars belong to the Government of Sierra Leone. Witness said yes but all have been removed.
Defense counsel asked since the witness was not there he cannot be able to tell if they were in possession of cutlasses.
Witness said they were with cutlasses. When J.J Campbell was cross examining the witness he asked if he knows the complainant in this matter. Witness said the Ministry of Lands, Housing and the Environment is the complainant.
Defense counsel asked if the land is over 200 acres? Witness said yes. Defense counsel asked if the witness have lease portion of lands to Sierra Leoneans. Witness said yes. Defense counsel asked witness if he can tell the amount of portion land he had leased? Witness said he can’t. Defense counsel asked if witness met the third accused person at the said land? Witness said no. The State Prosecutor for this matter is Inspector Korio A. while Lawyer C. Pujeh and J.J Campbell is representing the first, second, third, fourth and fifth accused persons. The matter has been adjourned to the 20th July, 2021.