Defense Counsel F.M. Fomba representing the All People’s Congress (APC) Organizing Secretary Karamoh Kabba and fourteen accused have cross-examined the investigating Officer Detectives police Constable Turay Brima 9823 in the ongoing matter previously before the suspended Magistrate Sahr Kekura and currently Magistrate Mark Ngegba at the Pademba Road Court No.1.

The accused persons appeared before the court on five counts of charges of unlawful assembly, conspiracy, riotous incitement, and intimidation contrary to the laws of Sierra Leones.

It was alleged by the police that the accused, on Monday, December 13, 2021, at Siaka Stevens Street in Freetown conspired with unknown persons to commit a felony, to wit, unlawful assemble. The charge sheet furthered that the accused, on the same date and place in Freetown behaved in a riotous manner, used inciting words, and intimidated others.

Continuation of cross-examination lawyer Fomba asked the investigating officer if his investigation was thorough, to which he responded in the affirmative. Mr. Fomba asked the witness if during his investigation interviewed independent witnesses.

Responding, he said he interviewed two independent witnesses, and disclosed to him they saw the accused behaving in a riotous manner.

He asked him whether he could recall the alleged crime scene where the accused were apprehended.

In his reply, the witness told the bench that the accused were arrested at Siaka Stevens Street in Freetown.

Lawyer Fomba put it to him that the accused were charged with the offenses based on advice by the Head of Operations at the Central Police Division. The witness answered no.

He suggested to the witness that the accused were arrested in different parts of Freetown.

He said they were at the aforesaid early stated.

He put it to him that the second accused was apprehended along Solider Street, to which he said no, adding that the fifteen accused, Karamoh Kabba was apprehended at Siaka Stevens Street in Freetown.

He put it again to the witness that the fifteen accused were apprehended within the prescient of Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters on Pademba Road in Freetown.

He asked the witness if he is aware of the fact that the second accused, was attending to the fourth accused when he fell and he was subsequently arrested by a police officer.

Responding, the witness said he could not recall.

After cross-examination by Defence Counsel, the prosecutor, Sergeant Lahai told the bench he had no reexamination and sought a date, and the application was granted. The accused are on bail and the matter was adjourned to September 22nd, 2022.