By Alimatu Jalloh
Kambia, Sierra Leone — In a recent High Court Criminal Session in Kambia, Honourable Justice Mohamed Bawoh convicted eight individuals on various charges while discharging three others. The session is part of the judiciary’s efforts to make justice more accessible by deploying judges to regions without resident judges.
Justice Bawoh is presiding over 25 cases during the two-week session, which include offences such as murder, attempted suicide, sexual penetration, conspiracy, wounding with intent, and various forms of larceny.
Among those convicted were Hassan Mansaray, a herbalist over 60 years old, and 34-year-old hairdresser Ishmael Bundu, both of whom pleaded guilty to sexual penetration. Each was sentenced to 10 years in prison, including time served. Sulaiman Bangura, a 22-year-old building contractor, was sentenced to 11 years for conspiracy, shopbreaking, and larceny. Ibrahim Kamara, 23, received a two-year prison sentence, including time served, for office breaking and larceny. Morlai Kamara, a 29-year-old electrician, was sentenced to eight years for wounding with intent. Mustapha Dumbuya, 21, and Alusine Kargbo, who both committed housebreaking and larceny, received three-year and two-year sentences, respectively.
In other proceedings, 21-year-old scholar Abdul Kargbo was cautioned and discharged for attempted suicide, while 25-year-old apprentice Morlai Mohamed Conteh was sentenced to time already served for store breaking and larceny. Mohamed Kamara, a 28-year-old businessman, was discharged of the burglary charge due to lack of prosecution.
State Counsel Ibrahim Thorlie prosecuted the cases, with the accused being defended by Mohamed Korie from the Legal Aid Board.
The High Court session in Kambia demonstrates the judiciary’s commitment to ensuring the expeditious delivery of justice across Sierra Leone.