Despite several applications by counsel representing Mohamed Bashir Sesay to grant him bail to enable him seek medical attention as he was suffering from partial stroke, the court has rejected the application; but however during the last sitting over the weekend, the accused finally appeared in court though very sick.
The 8th accused, Alex Romeo is also reported to have a swollen eye in prison.
All of the 19 suspects charged for the unlawful landing of a plane at the Lungi International Airport with arms and ammunitions and cocaine, appeared before Magistrate Deen Tarawalie of court No1.
Both the 15th and 10th accused persons Alusine Kamara and Mohamed Bashir Sesay who were reportedly sick and were absent in most of the trials, appeared for hearing over the weekend. Mohamed Bashir Sesay, the 10th accused was seen in court dragging his feet and assisted by prisons officers and could not even help himself in the dock. Whilst sitting in the dock, he was never upright as his head seem to rest on his shoulder. All he was hoping for was to hear that he had been granted permission to get treatment outside Pademba Road Prisons.
The Director of Public Prosecution, Robin Mason and Senior State Counsel, Gerald Sowei, quickly applied for an adjournment of the matter of the 10th accused until a production order be tendered in court for bail to be granted to those who are sick.
Defence Lawyer representing some of the accused persons, Roland Wright, applied for bail on behalf of his clients whilst another Counsel James Fornah Sesay also applied for bail for the 8th accused person Alex Romeo, whom he said had developed a swollen eye at Pademba Road Prison. The bail application for the accused persons was refused by the Magistrate.
Meanwhile, three suspects Ebenezer Macaulay, Abraham Manley and Mohamed Sannoh were also arraigned before the court in connection with the illegal landing of the air craft; whilst Alimamy Kabia, Mohamed Musa Kamara and Patrick Moriba Johnson, all security officials were also docked and refused bail.
The matter was adjourned to Friday October 10, 2008.
By Saidu Bah
ADVERTISEMENT