Principal Magistrate, His Worship Magistrate Mark Ngegba of the Pademba Road Magistrate Court No. 1 in Freetown on the 21st February, 2023 acquitted and discharged seven (7) accused persons for all the Offences brought against them by the State.
They were before the Court for Riotous Conduct and Disorderly Behavior contrary to the Public Order Act No. 46 of 1965 as repealed and replaced by Act No. 5 of 1973.
Initially, the Prosecution discontinued the action against the 17th Accused, Kadiatu Suma, and she was accordingly discharged.
In another development, the Defence for the 18th Accused, Alimamy Kamara told the Court that the Accused was unfit for trial by reason of his sound mind. The said Accused Alimamy Kamara was referred to the Kissy Psychiatric home for medical examination pursuant to Sections 71 and 73 respectively of the Criminal Procedure Act 1965 and would be reported upon to the Court by the Medical Officers examining him, pursuant to Section 74 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1965.
Regarding the seven Accused, the Principal Magistrate told the Court that the evidence in its totality against the 2nd, 5th, 15th, 30th, 4th, 21st, and 9th Accused are inconclusive.
“The Prosecution was unable to meet the required threshold to find them culpable,” said Magistrate Mark Ngegba.
He went on to say that, “I have considered the evidence as presented to the court by the Prosecution, together with the general circumstances of the case and in light of the forgoing, I hereby reach the following decision.”
“The 2nd Accused Mbalu 1 Kamara, 5th Accused Mbalu Kamara 2, 15th Alusine Sesay, 3th Sallaymatu Kaloko, 4th Accused Mariama Seray Bangura, 21st Accused Umaru Saidu Kamara and 9th Accused Seray Conteh are found not guilty on each count and are each accordingly acquitted and discharged.”
“Accused persons are found not guilty,” he concluded.
