By Janet Sesay
The ongoing riotous conduct matter, against former All People’s Congress Minister of Health and Sanitation, Zuliakatu Cooper, APC Member of Parliament, Dauda Kallon, and twelve others, was yesterday called for hearing for the eighth time before Magistrate Hannah Bonnie of Court No.1.
Police have alleged that the former minister and others were found in the streets of Freetown behaving in a riotous manner.
Detective Inspector Abdurrahman Jalloh, attached at the Criminal Investigation Department Headquarters in Freetown, said he recognizes all the accused and could recall on the 1st January, 2019.
The Police witness recalled that himself and Detective Police Constable 9920 Mohammed Kargbo charged the accused with the offences of conspiracy, riotous conduct and resisting police arrest.
He continued that himself and Detective Police Constable 9920 Mohammed Kargbo cautioned and questioned the accused in Krio. They responded in Krio and their responses were recorded in English. Their statements were also read and explained in Krio, which they admitted to be true and correct by signing with their own handwriting. The charge statements of all accused were tendered in court to form part of the evidence.
The accused were charged with four counts that range from conspiracy, riotous conduct, and disorderly behavior, throwing missiles and resisting police arrest, which are all contrary to the laws of Sierra Leone.
The charge sheet states that the accused, on the 31st December, 2018, along Siaka Steven Street in Freetown, conspired together with other persons unknown to behave in a riotous manner. The accused, on the same day at the same place, were also found throwing missiles along the streets of Freetown, thus behaving in a disorderly manner.
The matter was adjourned to the 4th June, 2019.