By Musa Paul Feika
Last Friday marked the fourth consecutive time Prosecution lawyers in the trial of Isatta Saccoh failed to appear in court.
Madam Saccoh is the wife of Alfred Paolo Conteh who is answering to a charge of treason, the most felonious crime known to the criminal law.
She was picked up at her residence in the aftermath of the April 29 attempted jail break at the central correctional facility in Freetown of which she was accused to have played a part to facilitate the escape of her husband.
Madam Saccoh was held over a week in police custody contrary to the legally recognised maximum detention period of 72 hours.
She is represented in court by defence counsel, George Conteh.
The offences with which she was charged are minor and bailable, but bail for Madam Saccoh was denied at the police station and the court.
The accused Isata Saccoh had been availing herself in court to assist the proceedings, but the prosecution has been absenting continuously thus compelling the defence lawyer, George Conteh to apply for a discharge.
Counsel Conteh made the application pursuant to section 94 of the Criminal Procedure Act of 1965 which provides for the discharge of an accused or defendant if the prosecution fails to appear.
“The prosecution is not treating the matter with utmost seriousness,” Counsel Conteh submitted.
In her response, the presiding Magistrate assured the defence that she would consider the application on Saturday 20th June being the next date for the hearing.
Bail for the accused person remains in force.