One of the Directors at the Ministry of Finance Inventory, Joseph Ngegba has made his first appearance before Magistrate Sahr Kekura at Pademba Road Court No.1 in Freetown.

According to Awoko News, He appeared responding to four charges including trespass, malicious damage, threatening language, and intimidation, all in violation of Sierra Leone’s laws.

Ngegba pleaded not guilty to all the allegations levelled against him after the pronouncement of the charges by the court registrar.

From the pronounced charges, it was revealed that, on May 11, 2023, Ngegba unlawfully entered the land at No.2 River Off Peninsular Road, Freetown, belonging to Alhaji Dauda, committing malicious damage to a valued iron gate worth Le 50,000.00 (fifty thousand New Leones), the property of Alhaji Dauda.

Police reports alleged that on the same date and location, Ngegba used threatening language against the complainant with the intent to annoy him, also intimidating Dauda to obstruct him from his lawful duties.

Dauda, an accountant and prosecution witness, recounted that on the specified date, he and his workers were at the site attempting to secure the land by fixing an iron gate. During the work, Ngegba arrived with armed thugs brandishing machetes, disrupting the work and damaging the gate. Dauda claimed that Ngegba, citing his position as a Director at the Ministry of Finance and the governing party, SLPP, asserted that his actions would go unquestioned.

“This is our government, and nobody will question my actions,” alleged Ngegba during the disturbance.

Dauda informed the court that Ngegba instructed his thugs to chase him and his workers away from the site. Subsequently, Dauda reported the incident to the Lumley Police Station’s Land Grabbing Unit, accompanied by Inspector Edward Conteh, who visited the crime scene, took pictures, and obtained a statement from him.

The prosecutor requested an adjourned date to continue with the case, while the defence lawyer sought bail for his client, a request contested by the prosecutor.

Magistrate Sahr Kekura granted Ngegba bail at Le100,000 with one surety, who must be employed and residing within Freetown. The magistrate emphasized that the bail should be verified by the court’s master and registrar. The case is adjourned to March 13, 2024.