Four accused persons, Mohamed Kanu Mansaray, Gibrilla Conteh, Bai Maro Conteh and Hindolo Moseray were yesterday docked at Magistrate Court No. 2 presided over by Magistrate Komba Kamanda on four counts charge ranging from conspiracy, false imprisonment, kidnapping and wounding.
Sulaiman Banja Tejan-Sei led the team of lawyers in defense of the four accused persons. In his opening statement in application for bail that the case for which his clients are standing trial is made up against them by certain politicians, who are uncomfortable with the bye-election victory of the lead accused, Mohamed Kanu Mansaray. He lamented over the behavior of such politicians and noted, ”it is such politicians that are letting us down”.
He went on to submit that the charges are mere allegations which he is confident, the Prosecution would not prove beyond all reasonable doubt. He referred to the accused as ordinary citizens who are residents of Freetown.
He was particular about the continued detention of the accused and with reference to Mohamed Kanu Mansaray, the 1st accused, he informed the court that is the Councilor-elect of Ward 369, with responsibility to represent his people at the Freetown City Council and help in the provision of basic social amenities that will enhance the welfare of the people. He entreated the Magistrate to tamper justice with mercy and consider granting bail to the accused persons as they are entitle to it.
S. A. Bah and G. J. Soyei represented the State at the hearing. They suggested however that they cannot continue with the case because their witnesses were absent. They assured the court that by the next hearing the witness will be available for the next hearing if they are not intimidated when they would be able to start their case.
They however objected to the bail application by Lawyer Tejan-Sei on the basis of the gravity of the offences and the possibility of them being repeated by the accused if granted bail. They maintained that given the circumstance, and the concern over the spate of violence in the country in the wake of the upcoming election, they stated that the mere presence in their communities will create apprehension in the ordinary people. They also maintained that the offences are calculated to derail the special kind of peace which should prevail in the system and that such can only be challenged by refusing them bail.
Magistrate Kamanda upheld the submission of the prosecution on the basis of “the seriousness of the offences”. They were therefore remanded in custody till Friday, 3rd February 2012.
By Nancy Koroma
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