In an official letter of complaint directed to the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC), described the arrest and incarceration of Mr. Mansaray as worrying trend of political intimidation, victimization and attacks on the person and properties of the Leader and Chairman and Flag Bearer of the ADP by members of the ruling All People’s Congress (APC) Party.
Alliance Democratic Leader, Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray, has been docked with three count charges of unlawful possession of small arms, unlawful possession of small arms without legal authority and carrying an offensive weapon.
He appeared in a Magistrate Court in Daru last week to answer to the charges. Mr. Mansaray, who was represented by Lawyer P. I. Bangura, has pleaded not guilty to the offences. The judge remitted the matter to the Segbwema Court for hearing on July 7 and Mansaray was denied bail and remanded in custody.
Behold the entire letter below;
“The Chairman,
Political Parties Registration Commission,
OAU Drive, Tower Hill,
Freetown.
5th June, 2017.
Dear Sir,
RE: LETTER OF COMPLAINT ON ACT OF POLITICAL INTIMIDATION AGAINST THE LEADER AND FLAG BEARER OF THE ALLIANCE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, MOHAMED KAMARAINBA MANSARAY.
The Alliance Democratic Party (ADP) wishes to draw to your attention the worrying trend of political intimidation, victimization and attacks on the person and properties of the Leader and Chairman and Flag Bearer of the ADP by members of the ruling All People’s Congress (APC) Party.
Mr. Chairman, on 9th July, 2016, the Leader and Chairman of ADP and his supporters were attacked, molested and intimidated while they were out on a rally for the Constituency 050 bye-election in Lunsar. We had information the attack rally in Lunsar whilst participating in Constituency 050 bye-election. The attack was carried out by some members of the ruling APC party. During this incident ADP participating in the rally sustained serious injuries and their Leader, Kamrainba’s vehicle was vandalized. We were also informed that in the ensuing fracas, APC supported mobs deposited human faeces on the premise of the ADP office in Lunsar.
On Wednesday Arpil 12th, 2017, the ADP office in Port Loko town was attacked by a group of miscreants who tried to burn down the building. Our investigation revealed that these are miscreants and loyalists of the APC party.
On April 24th this year and during the Ward 089 bye-election in Makeni, a hired group of APC thugs headed by one popular gangster nicknamed LAMTAY, attacked ADP supporters while they were rallying along Wusu Street and Father Street, in the full view of the Sierra Leone Police and PPRC officials. They attack caused heavy casualties on ADP supporters who were left unprotected by the Police on the excuse of “ORDERS FROM ABOVE.” The Sierra Leone Police never investigated or issued any report even though formal complaints were made by Mr. Kamarainba.
Recently, in Ward 025 bye-election in Segbwema, alleged members of the APC, led by one Robin Fallay, assaulted supporters of the ADP including their Leader and Chairman during which the latter’s vehicle was vandalized and two of his supporters severely beaten.
On Thursday 1st June 2017, the Leader and Chairman of ADP was arrested on what we think are politically trumped up charges and baseless allegations by Sierra Leone Police in collusion with the Office of the Vice President. In addition, he was taken to the Kenema Magistrate Court but denied the right to bail – an important ingredient to the presumption of innocence. He is currently confined in the Kenema Correctional Centre.
Mr. Chairman Sir, we must let you know that we see you as the only person now who can help our party and supporters regain their confidence in the political process and continue to participate in an unfettered and violence free environment. Therefore we are appealing that you use your good office tom immediately look into this matter with all the seriousness it deserves and take the necessary steps that would ensure the unconditional release of our Leader and Chairman, Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray.
Thank you very much and we look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.
Yours sincerely
Isata Abdulia Kamara
Secretary General
ADP
Cc:
Political Parties
U.S Embassy
U.K High Commission
ECOWAS
International Institutions
UN Country Representative
Civil Society
The Media
NEC
European Union
ONS
UNDP
HRCSL
Amnesty International
Inter – Religious Council”