By Alimatu Jalloh
Judiciary of Sierra Leone Communications, Main Law Courts Building, Freetown, 3rd The Acting Chief Justice of Sierra Leone, Hon. Justice Nicholas C. Browne-Marke has handed over assorted weapons which were used as exhibits in various criminal matters before the Magistrate’s and High Courts across the country to the National Commission for Small Arms for proper disposal.
Presenting the assorted weapons to the Deputy Commissioner of the Commission, the Acting Chief Justice said the arms and ammunitions represent exhibits submitted to Courts from various cases across the country.
“The Judiciary didn’t have a secure space to keep these weapons and they might likely fall into the wrong hands. Therefore, I directed the Master and Registrar of the High Court to organize this meeting so that the arms and ammunition will be handed over to the rightful authorities for disposal,” said the Hon. Chief Justice.
Speaking on behalf of the Commission on Small Arms, the Deputy Commissioner, Lieutenant Colonel Rtd. Luke Foday Ndonema said the Judiciary has complied with the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, their Ammunition, and other Related Materials, which was adopted on 14th June 2006 and Sierra Leone ratified same on June 22nd, 2007.
He stated that Article 17 of the aforementioned Convention mandated member states to collect and or destroy small arms and light weapons that fall short such as, surplus to the national needs or have become obsolete, seized and unmarked weapons, illicitly held weapons and arms collected in the implementation of peace accords or program of voluntary handing in of weapons.
The Deputy Commissioner added that his institution and the Judiciary have a mutual respect and professionalism which has brought the two institutions together.
The assorted weapons handed over to the Commission included Pistols, self-lorded Riffles (SLR), Gallil SAR 370, SMG, Sniper Rifles German Three (G3) and different types of AKs and some amount of ammunition among others.
In his closing remarks, the Commissioner thanked the leadership of the Judiciary for safely keeping such dangerous weapons even though they’re without armouries.
The ceremony was witnessed by the Director of Operations of the Sierra Leone Police A.C.P Dr. John M. Senesie, the Director of Defence, Col. A.B.S Kamara Esq, and Director of Technical Affairs, Major Rtd. P.C Kombay.