The Chief Justice of Sierra Leone, Desmond Babatunde Edwards, has said in a public notice on Thursday June 25, 2020, that effective Wednesday July 1, 2020 Magistrate courts nationwide will start operating.
It could be recalled that on Saturday April 18, 2020, the Chief Justice ordered the scaling down of court proceedings across the country in a bid to prevent and curtail the spread of the Coronavirus in the country.
According to the public notice, only a limited number of cases would be allowed at any specified time; the number of cases in each Court room is limited to 10 per day.
Because of the limited number of cases, Chief Justice Babatunde Edwards advised magistrates to plan their Case Diaries in such a way as to ensure that they take as many witnesses in cases and ensure the quick and efficient completion of matters without unnecessary adjournments, this may include day to day trials as measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
“Where accused persons are in remand, magistrates should ensure that they liaise with prison officers of the Correctional Service to ensure that they limit the number of remand prisoners in the courts,” the Chief Justice said.
Justice Edwards Further informed that, to contain the number of cases going through the Courts at this time of COVID-19, there is a hold on all private criminal summonses/prosecutions. “This means that only cases from police stations will be entertained. This direction will be reviewed after a month,” he added.
Justice Edwards mentioned that despite the supra, the Pademba Road Magistrates Court sittings would be as follows: Courts One and Two, three times per week on alternate days except for Fridays where both Courts One and Two will be the only courts sitting in the whole facility.
While the Schedule for all the Courts would be as follow: Mondays Court One, Three and Four; Tuesdays Courts Two, Five and Six; Wednesdays Courts One, Four and Seven; Thursdays Courts Two, Five and Six; Fridays Courts One and Two.
He also informed that Ross Road Magistrate court facility should have proceedings on Mondays in Courts One and Three; Wednesdays in Courts One and Two; and Fridays in Courts One and Two.
“All other protocols put in place in the Courts in terms of Social Distancing, wearing of facemasks, number of persons permitted into the Court etc. remains the same,” Chief Justice concluded.
By George M.O. Williams
29/6/2020. ISSUE NO.: 7855