By Janet A. Sesay
Ali Jaffal, Abdul Jaffal, Abdallah Jaffal, Mohamed Jaffal, Abass Antar, Naif Antar and Hassan Jaffal made their eighth appearance before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of the Pademba Road Court No.2 for allegedly wounding one Adam Hamdam.
The accused were standing trial before the court on seven count charges ranging from wounding, assault, affray, throwing missiles and disorderly behavior.
The indictment states that the accused persons on Saturday, 6th April 2024, at the Young Sports Club YSC facility at Wilkinson Road in Freetown, maliciously wounded Adam Hamdan and Mohamed Aroune. The charge sheet also stated that the accused persons behaved in disorderly manner as they assaulted Adam Hamdan and Mohamed Aroune in a fight with intent to put the public into fear and that they threw stones, sticks in order to put the public into fear.
Led in evidence by State Counsel, Yusuf Isaac sesay, the witness Sergeant 7907 Mohamed Kamara attached to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) branch at the Lumley Police Station, recognized both the first and second accused persons, Alie Jaffa and Abdul Jaffa.
He recalled on the 5th April, 2024, that he was on duty at the Lumley Police Station around 23:00 hours when information reached them that there was commotion at the YSC complex. He said that on receiving the information, the then Local Unit Commander, Chief Superintendent of Police Mohamed Turay and other police personnel left the station for the complex and that upon their return brought in Alie Jaffa and the others and he was told s serious commotion at the YSC to which the report was entered in the reports register. He said on that same night, he and DPC 17708 Mabinty Kamara interviewed Alie Jaffa by observing the Judges Rules. The interview, a cautionary statement from Alie Jaffa was tendered and marked as Exhibit R1-5.
On the same day the witness said, he interviewed the second accused, Abdul Jaffa also observing the Judges Rules. The statement was tendered in court and mark as Exhibit S1-4.
During cross examination by Defense Counsel, Jeremiah James Vandy on behalf of Alie Jaffa, the witness said accused Alie Jaffa told him during investigation that he has no idea about the fighting at YSC.
Lawyer Joseph Amara on behalf of the second accused, Abdul Jaffa put it to the witness that his client was not present at the scene at YSC which he answered in the affirmative, adding that Abdul Jaffa was handed over to him for investigation, but that he did told him that the allegations levied against him were false.
The Ninth Witness, Detective Police Constable 15157 John Mohamed Turay also attached to the Criminal Investigation Department at the Lumley Police Station in his testimony, recognized the Fifth and Sixth accused persons, Abass Antar and Nfa Antar.
He recalled on the 6th April 2024 that he was on duty when the then Local Unit Commander Chief Superintendent of Police, Mohamed Turay brought in the Fifth and Sixth accused persons to the station and he was asked to be part of the investigation team to obtained statements from them. He said he obtained cautionary statements from both accused separately by observing the Judges Rules. Both cautionary statements were tendered before the court to form part of the court records.
Defense Counsel, Joseph Amara said he is only standing in locum for his colleague but could not cross examine the witness on his behalf.
State Counsel Yusuf Isaac Sesay observed that at the start of the hearing, the Defense was “making heavy weather” for a speedy trial, but that now it is they that are slowing the process by seeking adjournments. The sitting Magistrate however adjourned the matter to 28th August 2024.