By Amin Kef Sesay
In a Press Release issued by the Judiciary of Sierra Leone and dated 10th September, 2021 it was categorically stated that the justice dispensing institution wishes to inform the general public that Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray and co-accused, Marion Arouni, who are before the Sexual Offences Model Court on eight (8) count charges of sexual penetration, meeting a child for sexual purpose and conspiracy among others were both granted bail by the presiding Judge, Hon. Justice Samuel O. Taylor (JA) on the 7th September 2021.
Highlighted was that the Bail Conditions for the first Accused were as follows: Bail granted in the sum of 100 Million Leones and two sureties in like sum, one sureties must be a house owner with property situated in the Western area of the Republic of Sierra Leone and should produce an original Title Deed to the Master and Registrar, sureties should produce proof of residence, ID Cards, Passport Pictures and the accused person should deposit same to the Master and Registrar, he must report three times in a week to the Master and Registrar and sign the Attendance book reserved for that purpose and he must deposit to the Master and Registrar all travelling documents both foreign and national.
The Judiciary stated that pursuant to the aforementioned, one of the Lawyers of the first Accused approached the Master’s office for the first time at 2pm on the 9th September 2021 at around 2:00 pm. The two Sureties, Isha Baby Koroma (self-employed) and Swaibu A.K. Dumbuya, a retired driver were brought into the Master’s office after 5pm, on the same day for the first time.
Furthermore, it was mentioned that among the documents submitted were, one new Sierra Leonean Passport for the first Accused (Kamarainba) with only a Guinean Entry Visa, an affidavit sworn to by him(first Accused)stating that he does not own any other travelling documents aside from the new Sierra Leonean Passport submitted, a Title Deed with no Valuation Report and Identification cards for the Two Sureties.
According to the Judiciary their findings were as follows: that the first Accused has not produced his foreign travelling documents in total compliance with the Bail Conditions. Also one of the Sureties, Ms. Isha Baby Koroma, is not ordinarily resident in Sierra Leone, as she informed during an interview that she is an US citizen.
The legal entity said in compliance with the Bail Regulations, to qualify to be a surety the individual must be ordinarily resident in Sierra Leone.
“As maliciously claimed by those who are misusing the Social Media, the Master and Registrar, is readily willing to process or approve the Bail as long as the conditions contained in Justice S.O. Taylor’s ruling are met,” the Judiciary assured adding that it also wishes to state that no approach or document has been received for and on behalf of the co-accused Marion Arouni.
Also, it stated how they wish to further state that some months ago they discovered 29 fake sureties with fake documents submitted to the Master and Registrar’s office maintaining that such an act is not only criminal but also inimical to expeditious trials and the dispensation of Justice.
