By Alimatu Jalloh
The case arose when Joseph, Sheku Jalloh a former military officer, including six others, was found in possession of fire arms using threatening language and obstructing the Paramount Chieftaincy polls which was being conducted in Samaia Bendugu.
The Preliminary investigations in the matter continue as about eight prosecution witnesses have testified.
Yesterday Tuesday 20th September, 2022, led in evidence by state Prosecutor A. G. M. Bocakarie Esq., the 7th prosecution witness, Kanko Kandeh attached to the Criminal investigation Department (CID) at Rogbaneh Police Division in Makeni testified in the matter.
She recognized the 5th accused person and recalled that on the aforesaid date, he was on duty at the Rogbaneh police station when she obtained voluntary statement from the 5th accused.
As part of her evidence, she produced and tendered the statement she obtained from the 5th accused, and informed the court that the lead Investigator in the matter was DPC 654569 Conteh Sunny.
Under cross examination by Lead Defense Counsel Joseph F. Kamara, the witness confirmed that she only obtained statement from the 5th accused.
The 8th Prosecution Witness DPC 18690, Zainab Yeabu Bangura, attached to the Mena Police Division in Makeni, said that she was on duty on the 9th of June, 2022 when her senior colleague instructed her to obtained statement from the 4th accused person Lansana Daramy , which she did.
The said statement was produced and tendered in court. Under cross -examination by Defense Counsel Joseph F. Kamara Esq., the 8th prosecution witness said that the 4th accused person told her about the incident at Bendugu and that he was arrested there at 21:00hours.
According to the particulars of offence, on Wednesday 8th June, 2022 at Sambaia Bendugu, Tonkolili District in the North East of Sierra Leone, the 1st accused Joseph Sheku Jalloh, was found in possession of a short gun without licence. The 2nd accused person was, according to the police, found carrying a machete and a knife without lawful authority.
Police further alleged that the 6th and 7th accused threatened to burn down the house of Honourable Paramount Chief Alhaji Bamba Foray Jalloh. The 7th count of the charges stated that the 4th accused obstructed the Sierra Leone Police when they were executing their lawful duties, while the 9th count added that the accused behaved in a riotous manner.
Defense Counsel renewed his bail application on behalf of the accused persons but it was rejected. The matter comes up again on Thursday 22nd September, 2022 for further trial.