By Fatima Kpaka
Esther Yeanor Koroma, a deputy Superintendent of Police and Head of the Firearms Bureau of the Small Arms Commission, on Monday, October 3, 2022 testified on the alleged case of unlawful possession of firearms by an ex-military man and six others during a Chieftaincy Election which was held at Sambaia Bendugu.
The Deputy Superintendent testified before Magistrate Mark Ngegba of Court No.1 on Pademba Road.
Led in evidence by State Counsel AGM Bockarie, she said that she has worked at the Small Arms Commission for two years with his duties varying from registering and examining, to renewal of firearms which are being brought to the Commission.
According to her, weapons registered are marked with ECOWAS logo, SL/CIV along with the serial number of the weapons, but added that the aforementioned weapon did not bear the ECOWAS Marks nor registered with the Commission. He noted that the Commission did not have any license of the names of the first accused registering the said firearm.
At this stage, Defense Counsel I. Turay Esq. sought from the bench permission to defer cross examination.
The accused were not admitted to bail. The matter comes up next on Monday 10th October, 2022 for cross examination.
The accused ex-service man, Joseph Sheku Jalloh and six others had been under Preliminary Investigation on nine counts, ranging from possession of small arm without Licence, carrying offensive weapon, using threatening language, obstruction, to riotous conduct.
According to the particulars of offence, on Wednesday 8th June, 2022 at Sambaia Bendugu, Tonkolili District in the North East of Sierra Leone, the first accused Joseph Sheku Jalloh was found in possession of one shot gun without licence.
It was alleged on counts two that the second accused was found carrying cutlass and knife.
Police further alleged that the sixth and seventh accused persons threatened to burn down the house of Honourable Paramount Chief Alhaji Bamba Foray Jalloh.
Count seven states that the fourth accused obstructed the Sierra Leone Police when they were executing their lawful duties.
Count nine added that the accused persons behaved in a riotous manner.