On the matter of an alleged obstruction of police duty by Mayor Yvone Aki Sawyer, Councillor Sheku Alhaman Cibril Sesay of ward 108 who doubles as Chairman for the Development and Urban Planning Committee at the Freetown City Council yesterday took the witness stand as the second witness to defend his boss, before Magistrate Mark Ngegha of Pademba Road Court No 1.

Councillor Sesay whilst testifying before the court said on 17 September 2022, he went with Mayor Yvonne Aki Sawyer to the Lungi airport as they were hoping to travel to the United kingdom on an invitation from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. He added that while they were waiting for their flight, he heard his name announced through a public announcement system in the early hours of the night and he voluntarily went to respond and upon arrival Chief Superintendent of Police, James Foday was introduced to him by other police officers as the Local Unit Commander at the Lungi police station. He noted that they asked him to accompany them to the police station without any reason at that moment.

The Councillor explained that his passport and phones were taken away from him by the police officers, who also refused him the opportunity to make a call in order to inform the mayor about his arrest.

He said Police Constable, Fanta Fofanah and Sergeant Caulker at that time were in civilian attire at the police station, and he had developed a cordial relationship with them, noting that they allowed him to send a message to Madam Yvonne Aki Sawyer informing her that he had been invited by the police for questioning.

Related News

Sesay furthered that he placed a call using the phone belonging to Sergeant Caulker and Maddam Aki Sawyer later responded and was told about his arrest.

The witness confirmed that shortly after the call, the mayor arrived at the police station and asked why he (Councillor Sheku) was arrested, but he responded that he did not have any knowledge of what had actually transpired or was happening, and the Mayor further questioned him as to whether he was arrested with a warrant, but he responded in the negative.

He said the mayor, at that moment requested that WPC Fanta to take her to the most senior police officer and the officer opted to take her to the LLC and in the process the mayor said if there was nobody to talk to she would go on Facebook live and explain to the world what had happened. he added the mayor then took out her phone, stood outside the room where he was being kept and started the live online broadcast, informing people about what’s happening.

In the video he said, the mayor narrated what had happened, that the police officers were not doing anything upward and that everything was all done in a peaceful manner as well as a friendly atmosphere.

The witness was asked whether he ever told the Mayor that the reason for him being questioned at the police station was regarding the August 10 insurrection, of which he said no.

Magistrate Mark Ngegba adjourned the matter to Monday 13th February 2023.