Magistrate Hannah Bonnie on Wednesday, September 30, 2020, withdrew the case file involving nineteen persons alleged to have been participated in riots at Tombo Community for a ruling.
The withdrawal followed a no-case submission by the defense counsel for the 19 accused persons.
The prosecution in this matter led at least five witnesses, but the defense is of the view that most, and almost all the witnesses the prosecution led in evidence did not directly link the persons accused of the alleged offence for which they had been charged.
During yesterday’s hearing, Magistrate Hannah Bonnie asked the lead prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) I. S. Mansaray to respond to the written no-case submission, but she relied on the evidence which they have adduced before the Court.
Magistrate Hannah Bonnie then withdrew the file (whether to commit it to High Court or to discharge it) for ruling on the next adjourned date, before adjourning the matter to October 14, 2020.
Police alleged that on Wednesday May 6, 2020, at Tombo Village the accused persons conspired and inflicted malicious damage to property, set fire on the Tombo Police Station and Hospital.
They further alleged that the accused persons maliciously damage one steal door valued at Le 800,000, three windows valued at Le2 million, 24 window glasses valued at Le. 480,000, two big steel door glasses valued at 160,000, two double wooden door valued at Le 300,000 and a single wooden door valued at Le 400,000. The total amount of money involved is Le 5,745,000 property of Michael Benka.
Isabella Cassell
2/10/2020. ISSUE NO: 7922