By Umaru Dumbuya
The Jude Advocate Mark Ngegba presiding over the ongoing Court Martial trial has on Thursday, 8th August 2024 made an order for the 18th accused, Corporal Abu Bakarr Koroma of the 4th Battalion Makeni, to be treated at a medical facility and for a separate trial to be conducted for him due to his poor health condition.
The accused has been suffering from a disease called epilepsy since the inception of the trial in January 2024 and he always collapses in court during proceedings.
On yesterday’s hearing when one of the Defense Counsel Julian Cole was making his closing address before the Jude Advocate and Seven-Man Board members on behalf of the 18th accused Corporal Abubakar Koroma fell down and started yelling thereby disrupting the court’s proceeding.
This has been the usual thing since the accused was charged to court on several counts charges ranging from mutiny, failure to suppress mutiny, aiding the enemy and other related charges.
Lead State Counsel Joseph Sesay made an application pursuant to Section 109 of the Arm Forces Act of 1961 for the accused to be tried separately from the others in the interest of justice, fairness and speedy trial. He posited that the Eighteenth accused is unable to stand trial and therefore drew the attention of the court to Section 89 Sub Rule 1 of the Arm Forces Act to confirm his submission.
Lawyer Sesay added that the accused is not fit to continue standing trial with the others but they are taking into consideration that he was jointly charged with others and that his deteriorating health condition will delay the proceedings.
Lawyer I. Bangura Counsel for the accused had earlier on presented a medical report on behalf of the accused to the court but it was not dealt with by the court.
Judge Advocate Mark Ngegba having heard the application made by State Counsel, made an order for the accused to be taken to a medical facility and for a separate trial to be conducted for him pursuant to Section 109 of the Arm Forces Act 1961.
After this order, the accused was taken away whiles the remaining 25 accused persons continue their trial.