By Janet A. Sesay
Justice Komba Kamanda, presiding judge in the on-going treason trial, has on Wednesday, 26th June, 2024 made an order before the court for Bai Mahmoud Bangura to stand trial separately from the other accused due to his health condition, but that his name should remain on the indictments while the trial proceeds.
He made this order after the state prosecutor, A. J. M. Bockarie, made an application before the court for the accused to stand trial alone due to his continuous illness.
Lawyer Bockarie in his application informed the court that for the past three weeks the matter has been delayed due to the continuous illness of Bai Mamoud Bangura.
He said that the trial is at a critical stage where justice should not be delayed.
The accused reported ill health he said has contributed to the delay of the matter and in that circumstance sought the order of the court to direct the trial for him to be tried alone on counts 1, 2, 13 and 14 respectively in which he was charged but stated that his name should remain on the indictments when the matter proceeds.
He made his application pursuant to Section 148 (3) of the Criminal Procedure Act No 32 of 1965.
Lawyer Bockarie also asked for two weeks adjournment to commence his trial.
Defence counsel Ady Macaulay did not object to the application.
Justice Kamanda, however, granted his application and ordered that the accused be tried separately and that his name remain on the indictments.
The matter was adjourned to 10th July, 2024 for him to open his defence.
Bai Mahmoud Bangura before the commencement of the proceedings was brought to court in a critical condition. Two bottles of drips were hanging on him while the trial was on-going.