By Ilyasa Baa
The dramatic and clandestine manner the Headman of Masorie village in the outskirt of Waterloo, Umarr Barrie, alias Headman Popay, was released past Friday by the lead Police Prosecutor, ASP Bangura of the Waterloo Magistrate Court, has left the Crime Officer, ASP Taiwo Kamara and Local Unit Commander, Supt Kpovowa of Waterloo Police Division, in complete amazement.
Headman Popay and twelve others were arrested and brought before Magistrate Ladonette Macauley for various offences, including the burning of four (4) houses in the nearby Matalie community. However, thirteen suspects were charged to court by the Crime Officer, Waterloo Police Division for the said offences, but, to the surprise of many, only twelve were brought before the Magistrate and the headman, Umar Barrie. Headman Popay was exonerated by the Police prosecutor and was prevented from appearing before the Magistrate, even though he was charged alongside the other twelve suspects.
In her ruling, the Magistrate fined the accused Le 500,000 each (five hundred thousand leones) or face an alternative of two months’ imprisonment.
Relatives of the accused appreciated the ruling and they wasted no time in paying the fines leading to their release. The question that remains in the lips of many, including the police, is why was Headman Popay exonerated of the offences he was charged with by the Police?
An elderly man, Andrew James, who resides at Waterloo, opined that Headman Popay might have greased the palms of the police prosecutor.
When contacted for his reaction on the issue, Headman Popay noted that he would not comment until he meets with his family members.
Police prosecutor, ASP Bangura, noted that she has the responsibility, as prosecutor, to acquit and discharge Headman Popay on the grounds of want of evidence.
ASP Taiwo Kamara, Crime Officer at the Waterloo Police Division, noted that he was amazed that his colleague would just discharge the headman after all their effort to address violence in the society. He promised to take the matter with the LUC, who had ensured that no stone would be left unturned to charge those responsible for the bloodshed and arson that took place in that part of the country, recently.
LUC Superintendent Sylvester Kpovowa has promised to look into the issue.
We will continue to monitor the situation.