Police alleged that the thirty three accused persons were found in possession of leaves suspected to be cannabis sativa, offensive weapons, loitering with intent and disorderly behavior during the launching of Sierra Leone’s hip pop star, Kao Denero musical album, at the National Stadium in Freetown.
The prosecution led no evidence on the grounds that the matter should be tried summarily, and two of the accused persons that were granted bail were below the ages of eighteen, which is in consonance with the country’s law books, that a juvenile should not be tried by a criminal court of law.
Prior to his ruling, Magistrate Komba Kamanda screened all accused persons individually about their addresses, occupation, where and how they were arrested by the police on Saturday December 12, 2015.
After the conclusion of the screening, he single out eight accused persons and ordered for the remaining twenty five ,who he referred to as; dangerous cliques to be remanded at the Male Correctional Centre in Freetown.
Magistrate Kamanda informed the jam-packed court that the spate of hooliganisms, the unlawful possession of offensive weapons and all forms of rampant riotous behavior by young people has considerably increase and pose imminent threat to the country’s national security sector.
He said he has no room for such rebellious and uncivilized behavior, noting that many unsuspected members of the public have been deprived of their usual peaceful co-existence at social gatherings especially during this festive season.
According to him, such a matter should not be treated with levity, considering the adverse consequences it has inflicted on innocent members of the public over the years; adding that, time is up for the perpetrators to serve as a deterrent to others out there, by prescribing or instituting grave punishment against them.
Magistrate Kamanda also informed the court that, he has made several public pronouncements with regards to the growing spate of waywardness; click gangs, broad day light theft by okada riders and other anti social activities in various part of the country.
He made it crystal clear that, his court will never tamper justice with mercy on any defaulters of such an offence, on the grounds that Sierra Leone is a country of law, integrity and a peaceful heritage, which, he said ,should not be allowed by irresponsible and negative minded people to destroy.
He said, he has cautiously listened to the bail application of lawyer Gevao, who is the lead Counsel for all accused persons, and the objection of the police prosecutor, ASP Samuel Kamara, that, the charges preferred against the accused persons constituted a threat to state security.
ASP Kamara went on to state that, his objection is based on the fact that, the police had a criminal records of some of the accused persons, and that if granted bail, there is the likelihood that they might jump bail.
Magistrate Kamanda however, weighed both arguments and concluded by ordering for the twenty five accused persons to be remanded at the Male Correctional Centre in Freetown, whilst granted bail to six including two juvenile students. The matter was adjourned to Monday January 4, 2016.
