A prisoner at the Pademba Road Prisons yesterday testified before Magistrate J.O. Wellington that one of the escaped prisoners gave Le 5,000 to Prison Officers to facilitate their escape.
He named the Prison Officers as Momoh Sesay, Abass Makay, Arnold Wray, Sallieu Jalloh and Theophilus Bangura.
He said on the 10th December, 2010, he was seating opposite the gate lodge at Pademba Road Prison when Momoh Sesay opened the gate for two ladies with a black bag to enter and two prisoners Modupeh George and Prince were taken down to the visiting room where they spoke with the ladies.
He further testified that while the discussion was ongoing no prison officer was present and after that they went to their block.
Mohamed further stated that after a few minutes Modupeh, Mature and Prince came down and they were stopped by Bolo a prisoner and Mr. Teyo the 5th accused ordered that the gate be opened.
Momoh Sesay questioned the legality of the visit and Mature dipped his hand in the pocket of Momoh Sesay and Theophilus urged the visitors to be precise so that the O.C. does not meet them there.
Five minutes after the prisoners returned to their block, Tegana moved from the Clarkson block to the remand Axis and Sugaray opened the door for him.
The witness also told the court that Mature gave something to a Prison Officer and he was allowed to cross the first gate.
Mohamed also stated that after a few minutes they heard a shout from Arnold and when they went to enquire, Arnold said he was slapped and he saw Mature with a pistol facing the Prison main gate and fired a shot.
He said the Prison Officer manning the gate was slapped and the gate was opened wide by a Prisoner and Mature and other prisoners came from different directions to the main gate and moved out.
He said the pistol was kept inside a cocoa cup and Kabbia and other officers went out and captured some of the escaped prisoners and took them in.
ADVERTISEMENT