By Alusine Fullah
Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Magistrate Court No 2 has today 17th January 2024 adjourned the treason matter of the former president of Ernest Bai Koroma on the 6th March, 2024. Before adjourning the matter to the foregoing date, Magistrate Santigie Bangura asked for the accused, Former Ernest Bai Koroma. Responding to the Magistrate Santigie Bangura, the defence council headed by Joseph F. Kamara replied: “My lord, my client is absent on medical grounds…” supporting his submission, the leading council submitted the medical report of the accused.
After several observations and consideration about the said medical report of the report, the prosecution council scanned the report and endorsed it. However, the prosecution council firmly noted that the accused and the defence council should not use the medical as a canopy to escape from the allegations in question.
Responding to the above statement by the defence council, the leading council strongly noted that there are two sureties to the effect and his client will never do short action. The two sureties provided by the defence council are: Hon. Minkalu Mansaray and Amb. Alhaji Osman Foday Yansanneh.
Attorney General and Minister of Justice Mohamed Lamin Tarawalley made a firm submission to the court that the defence council, the media and the general public should be courteous about making statements especially on social media.
After a lot of back and forth argument between the Attorney General and Minister of Justice and the lead defence council about social media reports and fake reporting of the said matter, Magistrate Santigie Bangura firmly warned the general public especially the media and lawyers to be highly courteous about contempt of court.
