By Fatima Kpaka
Freetown, Sierra Leone – 5th September 2024: Gbassay Bangura has been remanded at Pademba Road Prison by Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court No.2 on charges of impersonating a police officer. Bangura was arraigned on two counts, including personation, contrary to Section 3 of the Criminal Procedures Act 34 (amended by the Personation and Uniform Act No.13 of 1975), and unlawful possession, contrary to Section 13 (1) of the Criminal Procedures Act 37.
According to the indictment, on Sunday, 11th August 2024, in Port Loko District, the accused was found wearing an Operations Support Division (OSD) camouflage uniform and falsely assuming the identity of a Sierra Leone Police officer without lawful authority. The accused was also found in possession of an OSD camouflage uniform suspected to have been unlawfully obtained, which is the property of the Sierra Leone Police.
Gbassay Bangura pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him in court. The prosecutor, Sergeant 8811 Florence M. Wilson, requested a short adjournment, explaining that she had just received the case file and needed time to review it.
Magistrate Bangura denied bail due to the lack of an address for the accused in the case file. The matter was adjourned to 12th September 2024 for further hearing.