By Musa Paul Feika
Defense counsel, Sydney Campbell, who have been representing one Samuel Kamara and two others, standing trial at the Ross Road Magistrate Court No. 1, which is presided over by Magistrate Alhaji Suliaman Koroma, yesterday told the Bench that one of the complainants, Amuza Conteh, a member of the Sierra Leone Police Force (SLP), attached to Operations Support Department (OSD), has threatened him, at the court premises, with a pistol.
Lawyer Campbell made this disclosure during yesterday`s proceedings at the Ross Road Magistrate Court No.1. He asked the Bench and the prosecution team to admonish the complainant, Amuza Conteh, to hold on to his peace until the matter comes to its logical conclusion.
Mr. Campbell furthered that, on the day of the alleged incident, the complainant was well armed, adding that the pistol was confiscated from him by some residents at the alleged scene of crime at Peacok Farm, Wellington in Freetown. He added that if the complainant does not care about his life, he cares for his.
According to him, “I have so many mouths to feed.”
In response, the presiding Magistrate, Magistrate Alhaji Suliaman Koroma, admonished Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Osman Mohamoud Bangura, who also heads the prosecution team at Ross Magistrate Court No.1, to admonish the complainant to desist from such threat, adding that the defence counsel was only doing his job.
The accused are standing trial for the offences of wounding with intent, wounding and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, which are all contrary to the Offences against the Persons of 1861.
The indictment states that Samuel Kamara and two others, sometimes in April 2020 at Upper Peacock Farm, Wellington east of Freetown, wounded and assaulted Amuza Conteh and Abubakar Tawarally, in a manner thereby causing them grievous bodily harm.
The accused are on bail and the matter was adjourned to 24th July 2020.