The crime of larceny and its related charges have dominated the list of offences brought before the High Court sitting in the district headquarters town of Pujehun, Kpanga Chiefdom, in the Southern Province of the country, marking the start of the February High Court Criminal Session in the district.
The session, which started on 27th February, is presided over by the resident High Court Judge for Bo, Honourable Justice Francis Banks-Kamara, with a total of forty-three (43) cases. Among them are twenty-three (23) larceny-related files, a charge of rape, eight (8) files of sexual penetration, one attempted human trafficking charge, two (2) charges of wounding with intent, a charge of robbery with violence, and causing grievous bodily harm.
In his opening remarks, Honourable Justice Banks-Kamara said the leadership of the judiciary prioritises increasing access to expeditious justice delivery, especially in areas currently without resident judges. Describing the leadership of the judiciary as young and dynamic, he lauded the initiative of the Chief Justice, Honourable Justice Komba Kamanda, for taking such a bold step in just over two months in office. He urged residents in the district to avoid coming into conflict with the law and instead be law-abiding citizens at all times. Justice Banks-Kamara assured the people of Pujehun Town and its environs of the judicious use of the allocated two-week period to speed up the delivery of justice.
The representative of the Paramount Chief of Kpanga Chiefdom, Pujehun District, Chief Ginah Salia, thanked the Chief Justice and his team for the thoughtful initiative of bringing justice to the doorstep of the people of Pujehun. He said the authorities in the township are ready and willing to give their fullest support to the court to ensure the proceedings are successful.
Nine accused persons were discharged, including 24-year-old farmer Alpha Massaquoi and Mohamed Wundu, who were before the court to answer to the charge of wounding with intent. Wundu was ordered to return the sum of NLe 300 to the complainant. Abdulai Jasil Sillah was also discharged of the offence of grievous bodily harm, while Mohamed Massaquoi was discharged of killing animals with intent to steal.
Additionally, Alpha Mansaray, Dauda Massaquoi, Baimba Sahhoh Gigba, Alie Kanneh, and Ansumana Sandy were all discharged of various forms of larceny charges.
Honourable Justice Banks-Kamara sentenced power-saw operator Idrissa Kargbo, aged 23, and Naffie Kamara to ten (10) years’ imprisonment each after they pleaded guilty to the offence of housebreaking and larceny. Twenty-two-year-old labourer Moses Amara was handed a seven-year (7) jail term for the offence of wounding with intent. Twenty-eight-year-old Lamin Tarawallie got a three (3) year jail term for the offence of housebreaking and larceny, and Mustapha Sawanneh was sentenced to five (5) years for larceny in a dwelling house.
The prosecution is led by Lawyer Augustine Sheku, Senior State Counsel for Bo and Pujehun, and the accused persons are represented by Jack Harris from Legal Aid.
