Police Detective Completes Testimony in Case Against 55 Protesters

By Alimatu Jalloh

Detective Inspector Abdulai Kamara from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Kissy Police Station has completed his testimony before the Principal Magistrate Mark Ngegba, of Court No. 1 Pademba Road in a matter in which one Mabinty Bangura and 54 others to illegal demonstrations which took place on Wednesday 10th August across the Country.

During yesterday’s proceeding, Magistrate Ngegba refused to admit all 55 to bail and remanded them at the male and female correctional centres on Pademba Road in Freetown.

The accused persons, Mabinty Bangura, Mohamed Jalloh, Kadiatu Kamara, Osman Junior Kamara, Maseray Bangura, Kadiatu Bangura, Mohamed Kargbo and 48 others appeared before the court accused of disorderly behavior, riotous conduct, malicious damage, loitering, carrying offensive weapon and throwing missiles contrary to laws of Sierra Leone.

 According to the police, the accused on Wednesday 10th August 2022, at various locations in Freetown engaged in the unlawful conducts mentioned above.

The charge sheet furthered that on the same date and place in Freetown, the accused were found throwing missiles and loitering within the city and they also maliciously damaged K-Step Police, Kissy Police, Congo Water Police, Approved School Police, Wellington Police Posts and others.

Continuing his evidence, the 4th prosecution witness, Detective Inspector Abdulai Kamara recognised the accused persons and recalled that on Wednesday 10th August, 2022, he was on duty at the Kissy Police Station,  when the accused were brought in. 

He furthered that between the 11th and 13th of August 2022, a team of police officers obtained statements from the accused persons separately, and at the end, they admitted to their statements as being true and correct by affixing their right thumbprint. The Voluntary Caution Statements were produced and tendered to form part of the court’s records.

Defence Counsels Isaac Sesay after cross-examining the witness, applied for the accused persons to be admitted to bail, but did not succeed as    Magistrate Ngegba remanded them at the Male and Female Correctional Centres on Pademba Road in Freetown. The matter comes up next for further hearing on the 23rd of September 2022.