By Musa Paul Feika
Three accused, namely, Ibrahim Jalloh, Abubakar Fofanah and Alhaji Sheriff, are standing trial at the Ross Road Magistrate Court No.1, which is presided over by Magistrate Alhaji Suliaman Koroma, for offences of robbery with aggravation, wounding with intent, wounding and assault occasioning actual grievous bodily harm.
The incident took place on the 17th June, 2020 at No. 2A Jay Drive, Congo Water, Wellington in Freetown.
The police charge sheet states that Ibrahim Jalloh and two others, on the 17th June, 2020 at No. 2A Jay Drive Congo Water Wellington in Freetown, robbed, wounded and assaulted the complainant, in a manner thereby causing him grievous bodily harm.
The police prosecution witness, Abdul Destine Sankoh, in his testimony, said he recognized the accused and could recall the 17th June, 2020.
According to him, on the day in question, he was at home with his father when he suddenly heard a loud noise outside the compound. This, he said, prompted him to rush outside. He said he saw the complainant, Gassimus Sankoh, lying flat on the ground profusely bleeding.
The witness said himself and the help of others, whose names were not mentioned, took the complainant at Rokupa Government Hospital Wellington in Freetown, for treatment. He further testified that while they were at the hospital he took photographs of the complainant with his mobile phone, which were tendered in court to form part of the court`s records.
The witness added that he made a statement at the Rokupa Government Hospital in respect of the matter.
The Defense counsel, Madieu Sesay, representing the accused, applied for bail on behalf of the accused by relying on Section 79 of the Criminal Procedure Act No. 32 of the 1965 and 2018 Bail Regulation 3 (1) paragraph (a), which states that robbery with aggravation required bail based on the evidence in court, adding that even the photos, which were tendered in court, are not the original, adding that PW1, who is the complainant, never mentioned of any photos.
The police prosecutor, Inspector P.M.G. Daramy, objected to bail, noting that the offences in which the accused are standing trial were grave, and that even the 2018 Bail Regulation Act made mention of has an exception.
Bail was refused and the accused were remanded at the Male Correctional Centre, Pademba Road in Freetown. The matter comes up again on 10th August, 2020.