Magistrate Steven Conteh of court No.1 yesterday in the trial involving some FBC students on the alleged murder of Mohamed Juana said that in one week time he shall discharge the students should the prosecution fail to continue with the matter.
The Magistrate said the accused persons have been held in custody since December 23, 2008 an ample time for the prosecution to have continued with the matter. He encouraged the prosecution to pursue a certain line of action since they were failing to produce witnesses in court.
Magistrate Conteh told the prosecution further that some of the suspects were workers of various institutions whilst some being students for which they should be relieved from their misery for being held in custody for a long period without being prosecuted.
Defence counsel, S. K Koroma said the matter should be sent to the High court where they will plead for bail for the accused persons.
He also remarked that if the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) was absent, some other person should step in his shoes so that the matter will move faster.
Another defence counsel, A Kargbo said it was too much for the matter to be adjourned on three consecutive occasions.
He said the magistrate had the power to discharge the matter if the prosecution lacks evidence or was not ready to prosecute stating that because there was no witness in court, it meant the prosecution was not ready to pursue the matter.
The Principal State Counsel Gerald J Soyei reminded all of the seriousness of the matter and advised the court to prevail for justice. He said between then and Thursday, the prosecution should take a line of action. But the defence team also reminded the court that the fundamental Human Rights of the accused persons have been violated.
By Emmanuella Kallon
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