By Musa Paul Feika
The prosecution witness, Morlai Bangura, who doubles as an Infectious Prevention Control Officer, working for the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, has testified before Magistrate Hadiru Daboh, at the Ross Road Magistrate Court No.3, in an ongoing matter involving notice to quit certain premises situated at No. 7B Kissy Brook, in Freetown.
The ten respondents, namely Mohamed Gassama and nine others, were asked by the applicant, Madam Alice Fatmata Kanney, to vacate the said property.
Mr. Bangura informed the court that he recognized the respondents, who had been occupants of the property unknown to her.
Initially, the witness said, he was occupying the apartment under the auspice of the applicant. He added that, when he travelled to Port-Loko, he returned and met the respondents have already occupied the premises unknown to him and Madam Kanney.
Mr. Bangura said, when he asked the respondents why they have occupied the apartment, it resulted into a serious argument between him and them. He said he contacted the applicant, who was then residing in the United States of America (USA).
In reply, Mr. Bangura quoted the complainant saying, “When I come to Sierra Leone, I would ask all the respondents to evict my property.”
During cross examination, counsel for the respondents, Komba Kanu, asked the whether he knew the year the applicant came into Sierra Leone. In reply, he said he could not recall the actual date.
He furthered asked whether he knew a certain Osman Mansaray. The witness answered in the affirmative.
Lawyer Kanu asked the witness whether Madam Kanney, at any point, took a legal action against the respondents. The witness answered yes.
Mr. Kanu asked the witness if he was aware that Mr. Osman was claiming ownership of the said property, which is the bone of contention. “Not for the same property, but the one located at No. 7I Kissy Brook, in Freetown,” Mr. Bangura replied.
Lawyer Kanu also applied for Alhaji Mansaray to be added in the action as a respondent. His made his application pursuant to Order 3, Rule 1, of the Magistrates Court Civil Procedure of 1966. The said application was also granted by Magistrate Daboh.
The respondents are on bail and the matter will come up again on the 19th March, 2021.