By Janet A. Sesay
The High Court Judge of Koinadugu District, who is presiding over cases in Karene District, Justice Abdul Rahman Mansaray, has ended the first High Court holden in Kamakwie town, in the North-West Region of Sierra Leone.
The High Court Criminal Session commenced with 12 cases, ranging from manslaughter; possession of small firearms, conspiracy, wounding with intent and sexual penetration, among others
The cases were prosecuted by State Counsel Aruna Jalloh Esq., whilst Ibrahim Samba Esq. defended the accused.
During the proceedings, the accused, Sinnah Kamara, was brought before the court to answer to one count charge of murder. According to the particulars of offence, the accused, on the 23rd of February, 2019 at Laiya Loko Village in Sanda Loko Chiefdom, Karene District in the Northern Province of the Republic of Sierra Leone, murdered Ali Sesay.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the offence when the charge was read to him.
In his submission, the State Counsel told the jurors that the accused killed the deceased out of malice and therefore the act of killing, if not sanctioned, is inexcusable.
He defined murder, as provided by law, that the act was unlawful in all forms and shapes. At the end of the trial, the jury returned with a unanimous verdict of not guilty of murder.
In his judgement, based on the ‘not guilty verdict,’ Justice Mansaray acquitted and discharged the accused of the offence of murder.
In a similar development, Justice Abdul Rahman Mansaray convicted Alhaji Kabba on two counts of manslaughter and possession of firearms. In count one, he was sentenced to twenty years imprisonment. In count two, he was sentenced one year and six months imprisonment, which sentencing should be run concurrently.
On the case of sexual penetration, Justice Mansaray acquitted and discharged accused Sulaiman Bangura.