By: Alimatu Jalloh
The presiding Magistrate at the Pademba Road Court No. 2, Magistrate Santigie Bangura, has ruled that both the 5th and 6th accused persons will remain in the trial. This decision came after defense counsel Sidiki Kamara requested their discharge due to a lack of evidence linking them to the alleged crimes. Kamara argued that despite nine months of trial and testimony from ten witnesses, no substantive evidence had been presented against his clients.
Prosecutor I.Y. Sesay, however, insisted that it was up to the court to determine their innocence based on the evidence on record. After considering the arguments, Magistrate Santigie Bangura ruled that the 5th and 6th accused would stay in the trial, and the matter was adjourned to February 26, 2025, for further hearing.
Before these arguments, on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, Dr. Kenneth Kallie, a medical doctor in charge of police assault cases at Connaught Hospital, testified before Magistrate Bangura in the ongoing case involving multiple accused persons. The case centers on allegations of assault and malicious wounding at the Young Spot Club (YSC) facility on Wilkinson Road, Freetown.
Dr. Kallie detailed how two victims, Adam Hamdan and Mohamed Arune, were admitted to the hospital on April 8, 2024. Adam Hamdan, allegedly assaulted by five individuals, including Hamdala Jaffa (the 3rd accused), presented with swelling and bleeding on his right elbow, requiring three stitches. He also had bruises and skeletal pain on his right side. His medical report was tendered in court as Exhibit W.
Mohamed Arune, allegedly assaulted by three men, including Alie Jaffa (the 1st accused), suffered a swollen right hand with a wound measuring 4 cm. Six stitches were applied to stop the bleeding. He also complained about generalized skeletal pain and head injuries. His medical report was marked as Exhibit X.
The accused individuals, identified as Alie Jaffa, Abdul Jaffal, Abdallah Jaffal, Mohamed Jaffal, Abbas Antar, Naif Antar, and Haman Jaffal, face multiple charges under the Offences Against the Person Act of 1861 and the Public Order Act of 1965.
According to the charges, on April 6, 2024, Adam Hamdan and Mohamed Arune were attacked and maliciously wounded. In counts three and four, the victims were allegedly physically assaulted at the Young Spot Club. In count five, the accused persons were arraigned for affray, engaging in public disorder, causing fear, and allegedly using projectiles to endanger public safety.