By Fatima Kpaka
Tongo, April 17, 2023: The Legal Aid Board has provided legal representation to accused persons arraigned in the first post-war magistrate court sittings presided by Magistrate in Tongo Town in the Lower Bambara Chiefdom in the Kenema District in the Eastern Region.
The sessions were the first since the end of the country’s civil war in January 2002. The sittings were held on the 11 -14 April 2023 at the Torkpumbu Burma Court Barray in Tongo Town.
Sixteen accused persons were brought before the four-day circuit court sessions. The Board secured the discharge of two accused persons. The two were Sao Mambo of Luyama village, Gbo Section, and Baindu Lahai of Feindu Mamema village, Ngojeboima Section were discharged on Wednesday, April 12, 2023 on charges of destroying crops and wounding with intent and assault occasioning bodily harm respectively.
The accused persons were represented by Counsel Patrick Kamara, Legal Aid Board’s resident lawyer for Kenema district.
In another development, the Board has also secured the released of three accused persons from two separate court sittings of the High Court Holden in Freetown.
Two of the three, Tamba Bangura and Yassa Bangura were released on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 by Justice Unisa Kamara for want of prosecution after a 19-month court proceedings on charges of unlawful possession of fire arms, while Issa Mansaray was released on Monday, April 3, 2023 by Justice Cosmotina Jarret also for want of prosecution. The latter was discharged on a count charge of sexual penetration.
The accused persons were represented by Legal Aid Counsels Harold Momoh and Abraham Kargbo.