By Alusine Fullah

In a heavily thronged courtroom, the eleven respondents have appeared before Magistrate Santigie Bangura on the 11^th January, 2024. Among those respondents (accused persons), Bai Mamoud Bangura was absent in court based on his critical medical condition. The Deputy Director and Medical Superintendent, Dr. John M. Conteh at the Sierra Leone Police Medical Service Kingtom, Freetown confirmed before the court about the severe health condition of Bai Mamoud Bangura.

He said: “A patient called Bai Mamoud Bangura was brought SLP Medical Service Hospital on the 31^st December, 2023. On that day, he suffered through severe headache and high blood pressure. He was also bleeding…he is vastly recovering from bleeding but high blood pressure is getting worst every now and then…” Based on his critical health condition, his file warrant was not enforced my court as he is currently hospitalised.

Among those respondents to the said warrants are Amadu Koita Makalu, Mohamed Jalloh, Sgt. Mohamed Sallue Kamara, Ramatu Kanda Conteh, Alimatu Hassan Bangura, Hassan Leigh, Mohamed Wurrie, Bai Mamoud Bangura, ASP Ibrahim Sesay, Tamba Yamba, Kabba Kamara, and Abdul Sorie Hassan Kamara.

The warrant files were read before the court, and the respondents’ persons acknowledged receipt. Detective Inspector, Abukarr Kargbo attach at Pandemba Road Magistrate Court read the warrant files to the court:

Amadu Koita Makalu: he was charged with two counts of treason and six counts of murder and shooting with the intent to kill. Mohamed Jalloh: he was charged with two counts of treason, six counts of murder and shooting with intent to kill. Sgt. Mohamed Sallue Kamara: he was charged with mistreason of treason. Ramatu Kamara: she was charged with mistreason of treason. Alimatu Hassan Bangura. She was charged with two counts of mistreason of treason and harbouring. Hassan Leigh: he was charged with mistreason of treason and unauthorised wearing of military uniforms. Mohamed Wurrie: he was charged with two counts of treason. Bai Mamoud Bangura: he was arrested on two counts of mistreason of treason and harbouring. ASP Ibrahim Sesay: he was charged with mistreason and harbouring. Tamba Yamba: he was charged with two counts of treason and murder. Kabba Kamara: he was charged with two counts of treason and murder. Abdul Sorie Hassan Kamara: he was charged with two counts of treason and murder.

However, Bai Mamoud Bangaura is yet to receive his warrant file based on his severe health condition as it was confirmed by the Deputy Director and Medical Superintendent, Dr. John M. Conteh at the Sierra Leone Police Medical Service Kingtom, Freetown.

Saidu Bangura, representing the third accused, objected, expressing the defence’s lack of good human treatment against their clients. For the defence council for the foregoing respondents, their clients have gone through severe human rights violation.

Responding to the allegations by the defence council, the state council responded that they are not in charge of Sierra Leone Correctional Service and they have not visited the said centre since the inception this trail as alleged by the defence council. Magistrate Santigie Bangura told the court that the said allegations by the defence lawyers are in place, however the firmly noted the court needs to get side of the Director of Sierra Leone Correctional Centre.

This matter has been adjourned on the 16^th January, 2024.