The former Ombudsman Francis Gabbidon yesterday confidently walked out of the court after Justice Mary Sey of the Freetown High court granted him bail and his 3-day-old bench warrant discharged.
Presenting her case before the court, Lawyer Glena Thompson representing the state, said that Mr Gabbidon was served with his letter on Monday morning and that the charges levied against him amounted to 168 counts.
Lawyer Thompson disclosed that the accused was not at his residence to serve him with the court notice and she also asked that the accused show his proper address to the Court.
The defense counsel for Mr Gabbidon asked that they go through the charges before indicting him.
Lawyer Thompson also asked that, the accused be granted bail on the existing Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) bail condition and that Gabbidon also show his real address where he resides. Replying to this, Jenkins Johnson Snr representing the accused said that, he wants to address the court on two issues. One is on the issue of a bench warrant against the accused, which had been issued last Friday 11th July a bench warrant for failing to appear in court. Lawyer Jenkins Johnson asked the court that the bench warrant be discharged in favor of the accused person.
The second issue was that, the existing bail conditions of the ACC continue until the accused is formally charged with the 168 count charges tomorrow. The accused Lawyer further explained that the accused passport and documents are with the ACC.
Upon hearing both counsels, Justice Mary Sey granted Mr Francis Gabbidon bail on the existing ACC bail conditions and discharged the bench warrant. She also ordered that the accused person is expected to be at his residence. Lawyers representing the accused were; Lawyer Jenkins Johnson Senior and Junior, Fio Edwards, Desmond Ngakui, James Fornah Sesay and Mohamed S Bangura.
The matter is adjourned for today.
By Abibatu Kamara
ADVERTISEMENT