By Alimatu Jalloh
Justice Adrian Fisher of the High Court has on Friday, 28 April 28, 2023 adjourned the matter between the state and Dr Samura Kamara and five others on July 14, 2023, after the presidential election would has been conducted.
The judge rejected an application made by Lawyers representing Samura Kamara for passport of be released to enable him travel to the United Kingdom.
Before given his ruling, the learned Judge said lawyers representing Dr. Samura Kamara had earlier filed an affidavit before the court for the passport of Samura Kamara be release by the Master and Registrar of the High Court as Samura has been invited to a dialogue meeting at the Commonwealth together with President Bio.
He said the affidavit filed stated that Dr Samura after been selected as the flagbearer of the main opposition party has been invited by the secretary General of the Commonwealth together with President Bio to dialogue about national security of the country.
The affidavit further stated that Samura has been present in court since the inception of the matter, adding that part of the bail condition given by the court is that he should submit his passport to the master and register of the high court until the matter comes to it conclusion.
He said that the letter of invitation was attached to the affidavit, and it was dated April 15, 2023, and was signed by the Secretary General of the Commonwealth.
Also, the affidavit states that the fourth accused has no intension of staying long.
He said lawyer Matesbo representing the ACC on April 26, 2023, filed in opposition to the affidavit by Samura lawyers, indicated that procedure has not been follow by the fourth accused (Samura).
He said the fourth accused has been minister of foreign affairs and he knew the procedure to follow when a person is being invited out of the country.
He said there is possibility that Samura might not comply with the procedure of the court.
He stated that the invitation letter was not copy to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation who is in charge of protocol of external affairs of government business.
He further stated that the letter was sent directly to the fourth accused and not to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Lawyer Matesbo further said that the fourth passport of the accused was released to him for a locust visit in New York City but he did not attend the sitting.
Justice Fisher said having looked at both affidavits, there was insufficient evidence before him warranting the fourth accused to travel outside the country.
He said the Letter of invitation was dated March 15, 2023 but defense did not present it before the court earlier, adding that he has found out that the court has been treated with levity.
He said the matter is a criminal trial and a fair trial should be held.
Justice Fisher ruled that the application made for the passport of Samura to be released to him to travel was refused, noting that his lawyers should renew their application on May 4, 2023.
The matter comes up again on July 14, 2023 for further hearing.