By Abass Jalloh
The Second Prosecution Witness at the ongoing Magistrate Court trial of seven men accused of various offences during campaigning for a Parliamentary Bye-election in Tonkolili District last month has presented exhibits of items that he said were recorded by the Police relating to the case.
Police Sergeant Issa Kamara yesterday told the court at Pademba Road in Freetown that as witness, he on the 13th of June 2022 received from a Police Constable from Tonkolili, three cutlasses, one bayonet knife, a dismantled shotgun and one kitchen knife, all of which were in a blue rice bag that were eventually registered as exhibit 82/2022.
The witness confirmed his task of ensuring the registration of all exhibits that are brought to the Criminal Investigations Department of the Police in Freetown.
During cross-examination, the lead defense lawyer, Ady Macauley, representing the first, second and third accused asked whether the said shotgun was recorded or received in separate parts. But the witness responded that he received a dismantled gun.
Asked if the gun was “inoperable”, the witness responded that he was not a weapon expert.
The other defense lawyers representing the remaining four accused persons did not cross-examine the witness in connection to their clients but applied for bail which Magistrate Sahr Kekura refused.
After the testimony and cross-examination, Associate Prosecuting Counsel representing the Police, Ahmed Bockarie stated that there would be no re-examination of the witness and asked for an adjournment, stating that they would bring another set of witnesses for the matter later on.
On Tuesday 5th July 2022, seven accused persons, Joseph Sheku Jalloh (1st), Saio Jalloh (2nd), Kulio Jalloh (3rd), Lansana Daramy (4th), Abdulai Kamara (5th), Ibrahim Kamara (6th), and Michael Kamara alias ‘Trayman’ (7th), were arrested for allegedly committing various offences during campaigning in the northern district. The matter was adjourned to 28th July 2022.
Copyright © 2022 Politico Online (22/07/22)
