High Court Judge, Justice Miatta Samba while presiding over a case of Larceny has expressed her eagerness to see young people out of prison.
Her comment came in the wake of a delayed tendering in court of a black phone exhibit in a larceny matter involving Alie Mansaray and Jacob Swaray both young boys. “I am eager to see young people out of prison,” she stated.
The accused; Alie Mansaray and Jacob Swaray stand charged with larceny since 2014. They have been incarcerated at the Male Correctional Centre since then.
Justice Samba said she had adjourned the matter on several dates just for the Exhibit Officer to tender the said exhibit in court, but this has so far proved futile. She maintained that the accused, Alie Mansaray and Jacob Swaray deserve justice.
The Judge who had earlier on January 28th 2016 warned she would discharge the matter has however cautioned lawyers to always speed up cases related to young people pointing out that defence and prosecuting counsels should bring their witnesses to court as and when the court requires.
Justice Samba said if only counsels can adhere to her advice, she will deal with the case speedily. She maintains that when a young person faces justice it is important that the matter be dealt with speedily so that, he returns to his youthful live if he or she is acquitted or serves the stipulated jail term and returns to his or her normal life afterwards.
Responding, the State Prosecutor, Umu Sumaray said the exhibit is within the court premises. She and informed the court that the Exhibit Officer, Umaru Mansaray had earlier tendered the said exhibit in at the Magistrate Court arguing that it is not her fault if the said exhibit is not tendered in the High Court. She informed the Judge that the Exhibit Officer is present in court but was unable to retrieve the exhibit from the lower court.
Defence Counsel A. Sesay applied for a discharge of both accused stating that the accused have been in custody since September 2014.
He submitted that the prosecutor has confirmed that she cannot get the exhibit stating that granting them another adjournment is tantamount to injustice to the accused.
Responding, the Judge said she is giving them one more adjournment date and warned that on the next date which is today, 1st February, 2016 she will discharge the matter if the exhibit is not tendered.
By Emmanuella Kallon
Monday February 01, 2016
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