By Amin Kef Sesay
A bench warrant has been issued for Samuel A. Beckley, a businessman dealing in vehicle spare parts at No. 1 Campbell Street, Freetown for failing to appear in court to address charges brought against him by a Senior Solicitor, Demba Barrie, Esq. of the Sierra Leone Bar Association.
The warrant was issued on Thursday June 6, 2024 after S.A Beckley failed to show up for the hearing before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Pademba Road Court No. 2.
In the court session, Defense Attorney, Jesse M. Jengo, Esq. acknowledged that S.A Beckley had been properly served with the summons but failed to appear, demonstrating disrespect to the court. In fact the process server who effected the service on the said SA Beckley stated in the affidavit of service that he was insulted and chased out of his business premises by S.A Beckley upon perusal of the summons paper.
Consequently, Jengo Esq and the battery of lawyers who represented the complainant therein requested a bench warrant for Beckley’s arrest, which Magistrate Bangura granted.
S.A Beckley faces five charges under the Public Order Act No. 46 of 1965, including threatening language, abusive language and insulting conduct. The charges stem from an incident on December 27, 2023, during which he allegedly made threatening and abusive remarks to Demba Barrie Esq via WhatsApp call placed to him which was recorded by the complainant.
Further investigation done by this medium by audio in our custody has solidified the charges brought against the Defendant in that the audio recording is marred by insults and indecent languages that one would expect a man of the stature of the Defendant in society to be far away from but sadly his actions as depicted therein speaks otherwise.
The case has been adjourned to June 17, 2024.
