Lahai Lawrence Leema, National Publicity Secretary, Sierra Leone Peoples ‘Party was yesterday remanded at the Pademba road correctional facility after he was denied bail at the Freetown High Court.
On 14th November 2017, Leema was brought before the court on eleven count charges in two separate police files.
In the first police file, it is alleged that on 6th November 2017; Leema physically assaulted, acted with disorderly behaviour and used threatening language on Franklyn Rogers.
It is also alleged that on the said date, Leema assaulted and used threatening language on Gerald Sesay and Joseph Kowa and six other staffs at the SLBC.
Leema is charged with assault, disorderly behaviour and trespass among others, by the Inspector General of Police.
He pleaded not guilty to all the said allegations levied against him.
The complainants in the two files were absent in court.
Lawyer HM Gevao, Lead Defence counsel during his submission to the court described the complaints’ absence as a sign of disrespect for the judiciary.
Gevao noted that a complainant who has taken a court action against the accused should proceed with the matter.
In his application for bail, Gevao referred to the said allegations as minor offences, which are subject to bail. Police Prosecutor, S Kamara objected to the bail application made by the defence.
Kamara pointed out the accused failure to honour police invitation on two occasions stating that the accused was arrested on warrant.
Lawyer Umaru Koroma, National Secretary General, SLPP refuted the claims made by the police prosecutor. Koroma said that he received a letter from the Inspector General of Police on 9th November 2017 instructing him to produce the accused at the CID. He added that in receipt of the letter, he accompanied the accused to the CID yesterday with four SLPP national officers.
Koroma informed the court that a warrant of arrested was posted on the accused towards the entrance of the CID as they made their way to answer police the invitation.
While the issue of inconsistence with the date of arrest warrant and police invitation was pointed out to the court, the Defence told the court that the warrant of arrest is dated on the 6th while the invitation was dated on the 9th November 2017.
Brima Koroma, the first prosecution witness, while tendering statements made by the complainants also informed the court about evidence he collected during his investigation.
During this process Magistrate Albert Moody urged both counsels to refrain from bringing out submissions that have political ties.
A bail condition of 250 million Leones was granted in the first file but he was remanded for the second file.
The matter was adjourned to Friday 17th November 2017.
By Sylvia Villa
Wednesday November 15, 2017.
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