By Saio Marrah
Former Councilor Sheku Alhassan Gibril Turay, commonly known as ICE T of Ward 408 in Constituency 116 in the Western Area Urban has admitted in court that they (politicians) have the power to mobilise 1,000 men on the streets of Freetown if the Chief Administrator continued his “ill attitude” towards them.
The former councilor admitted this during cross-examination by state prosecutor, J A M Bockarie at the Pademba Road Magistrate Court in Freetown on Monday 24th April 2023 that he made the statement at a press conference organized by the City Council at the City hall sometime in 2021.
According to him, he was addressing the CA through residents of Freetown and the world to know what the head of the administrative wing of the Freetown City Council was doing to them as elected members of the council.
The former councilor pointed out that the CA had been denying the approval of most of the traveling opportunities directed towards him and even the then Mayor Aki-Sawyerr.
However, Turay denied using the phrase “using radical approach” if their concerns were not resolved and that they as politicians will galvanize 1000 manpower to cause unrest on the streets of Freetown.
Instead, he said, “We have the power to galvanize 1,000 manpower to cause unrest in Freetown.”
The politician also denied saying he is ready to face the consequences of his action by saying as politicians they should not be afraid to be jailed
But a document, which the state prosecutor said was transcribed from the video of the said press conference, was given to the accused to read out aloud in court, confirming that he uttered the statement he denied.
His denial prompted the presiding magistrate to play the said video footage.
The former councilor was also shown in the video footage saying the mayor was being diplomatic and that he will rather take a radical approach.
The accused former councilor who was on bail was sent on remand after the hearing and the case has been adjourned for today.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (26/04/23)
