By Alimatu Jalloh
Moses Munda, a Superintendent of Police (SP) and Special Task-force Officer from State-House has testified in a case of riotous conduct and unlawful procession involving one Musa Juana Lavalie , Santigie Dumbuya, Foday Mansaray and six others.
In this matter the Police are alleging that the accused, on Wednesday 10 September 2022 at Sheriff Drive, Off Regent Road Lumley in Freetown had been found partaking in an unlawful procession.
The police are also claiming that Adam Kamara, Hawanatu Kamara and Mariama Jalloh, had also participated in that unlawful procession.
Superintendent Munda testified that on the 10th of September 2022 he was on duty at State House, but left for the Presidential Lodge to inspect deployment at Sherriff Drive Lumley Regent Road.
He said that he was part of a mixed team of police officers and personnel of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), and on their way from the Presidential Lodge when they approached Girl School he heard some disturbances which prompted him to ask the driver drive to the scene of crime and upon their arrival, he saw people holding placards, and they were also shouting and chanting.
He said some of them fled the crime scene, and added that it was there that the third accused person Foday Mansaray, was subsequently arrested.
He said the third accused held a placard on which had been written “Bio must go and we are suffering”, and when he was about to be apprehended he attempted to shred the placard but failed in the attempt.
The witness said the accused was taken to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters on Pademba in Freetown.
Defence Counsel, Musa Beraytay, renewed his application for bail relying on section 79 of the Criminal Procedure Act No. 32 of 1965.
Mr. Beraytay assured the bench that the accused had reliable sureties that were willing and ready to enter into recognizance.
Responding to the application, Prosecutor Assistant Superintendent of Police Hawa Bah opposed to bail.
The accused were denied bail and remanded at the Male and Female Correctional Centres on Pademba Road in Freetown.