On Monday 26 January 2018, Justice Reginald Fynn of the High Court of Freetown on Siaka Stevens Street looked into 17 special files that were committed to the High Court from the Magistrate Court for trial.
Some of those files were for crimes committed as far back as 2006. One accused has been in detention at the Correctional Centre while their original files are nowhere to be seen.
On Monday 18 June 2018, Justice Reginald Fynn started the trials in some of those files and asked some of the accused about the crimes they committed and the years such alleged crimes were committed that warranted their incarcerations.
Among the crimes the accused said they committed are larceny, conspiracy, house breaking, wounding with intent, fraudulent conversion and two accused for conspiracy to murder from Kenema.
On the last proceeding, he discharged some of the accused who had spent lengthy periods in prison and whom the prosecution has not come up with any evidence against and had to review the bail conditions of some of the accused and put others on bail.
While addressing the State Counsel, Justice Fynn noted, “I don’t even know what the accused are being charged for. I only rely on what the accused and prison officers have to tell me.”
Amongst the accused is Mohamed Kamara, who was charged with Fraudulent Conversion in 2013. Hassan Bangura has been in custody for Larceny since 2014. Brima Nabie was charged with Conspiracy to Commit a felony and a host of others.
While discharging Mohamed Kamara and Hassan Bangura, Justice Fynn cautioned the accused to be mindful of their lives. He maintained, “You are young people; you should use your youthfulness to pursue things that can earn you a living.” He adjourned the rest of the files 2 July 2018.
MJB/25/6/18
By Mohamed J. Bah
Tuesday June 26, 2018.
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