By Janet A. Sesay
Two traders who identify themselves as Adama Sesay and Shinnon Sajor Mansaray made their second appearance before Magistrate Mark Ngegba of Pademba Road Court No. 1 as they were alleged of an unlawful procession during the August 10 riot in Freetown.
The accused were arraigned before the court on a count of unlawful procession contrary to section 17 (3) of the Public Order Act of 1965.
The charge sheet states that the accused, on Wednesday, August 10, 2022, at Congo Town in Freetown, were found partaking in an unlawful procession.
In his testimony, Inspector Bernard Massaquoi, attached to the Operations Department of the Congo Cross Police Station, said he recognised both accused and could recall Wednesday, August 10, 2022.
He said on that day, he was on duty when he received a distress call from an unknown person that people were wearing black T-shirts and rioting in the street.
Massaquoi stated that he then took two of his colleagues and left for Congo Town, where the alleged rioting was taking place.
He added that at the scene he saw people holding placards bearing inscriptions like, “Maada Bio Must Go”; “PPP” among others.
He furthered that he then arrested both accused and took them to the station for questioning, adding that he later handed them over to the officers at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on Pademba Road in Freetown.
Sergeant 1389 Sahr Nelson Nabieu also attached at the Congo Cross Police Station also recognised both accused and recalled the same day.
He said he was on duty at the said station when the accused were arrested and brought to the station by the operating team headed by Inspector Francis Massaquoi, including three placards with inscriptions, “We Need Freedom”; “People Power” and “No Democracy”.
He said the accused and the placards were handed over to Inspector Emma Amara, the Acting Crime Officer of the station.
The witness said he, Inspector Emma Amara and other police officers together with the accused boarded a vehicle with which they took the accused to the CID headquarters for investigation.
He ended that he then wrote his police report and handed it over to the Deputy Superintendent of Police at the CID headquarters.
Both witnesses were cross examined by Defence Counsel Lansana Dumbuya who also renewed his bail application on behalf of his clients.
Magistrate Ngegba refused bail and the accused were remanded in custody until September 15, 2022.