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The eighth prosecution witness on the matter between the state and twenty-eight rioters, Inspector Alfred Conteh attached at the Ross Road Police Division has narrated how properties belonging to the state are set ablaze.
Led in evidence by state counsel AJM Bockarie, the witness said on the 10th of August 2022, he was on duty when the received intelligence about a gathering around up gun turn table.
He said that based on the intelligence the operation officer Assistant Superintendent of police Mohamed Kamara and other police personnel including himself board police vehicle SLP 065 to go and see what was happening.
The witness said upon arrival at up gun roundabout he saw the accused persons in a violent mood holding placards in their hands with different inscriptions like freedom of speech; we don’t need hardship among others.
He said they highlighted from the vehicle and the operation officer made a peaceful approach to them and they in turn fled in different directions pelting stones at them (the police).
Explaining further, they said the third, fourth, seventh, ninety, tenth and eleventh accused persons were arrested and taken to the station. He said they were handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department for investigation.
The eighth witness said they proceeded to kissy road where they arrested the sixth and thirteenth accused persons.
The witness said at the kissy road he received a phone call from police constable 13684 Komba J telling him that they needed rescue as they have been attacked at the Hillside by the pass road. He said on arrival at the said area, he saw the twelve crash barriers deployed at that road to prevent vehicles and motorbikes from plying whiles CSE are working on the fire.” My lord we put off the fire, rescue our personnel and took them to the station”, he stated.
Narrated further, the witness said they later heard that the PWD police post has been attacked by the accused persons.
He said they left for the crime scene and on their way, they encountered another roadblock and the burning of tires.
“My lord we dismantled the roadblock and arrested some of the accused persons”, he said.
The witness said on arrival at the PWD police post they observed that the doors to the cells are damaged; documents were scattered on the floor and the motorbikes were on fire. He said they rescue their colleagues and the fifteenth accused who was arrested at Ross Road Police Station.
Testing the evidence in cross-examination by defence counsel the witness said at the time they received the intelligence there was no curfew.
The witness confirmed that he cannot tell who does the burning of tires and erection of roadblocks. He said the rioters started pelting stones at them when they arrive at the scene.
The witness further confirmed in cross-examination that the accused persons were in a violent mood. He said his boss tried to calm them down but to no avail.
