By Amin Kef Sesay
The Police on the 12th July 2021 charged Hon. Emmanuel Saidu Conteh, the All People’s Congress (APC) Member of Parliament for Constituency 129, and three others to court on allegations of conspiracy to commit a felony, unlawful importation of arms and ammunition, among others.
He, Nabie Musa Raymond Bangura, Michael Alpha Fornah and Sheriff Jalloh were arraigned before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Court No.1 on four counts of conspiracy to commit a felony, illegal importation of arms and ammunition and unlawful possession of arms and ammunition contrary to provisions in the Arms and Ammunition Act of 2012.
It was alleged that the accused persons were found in possession of arms and ammunition at the Queen Elizabeth Quay without lawful authority. Furthermore, it alleged that the accused persons, between Thursday 22nd April 2021 and Friday 2nd July 2021, conspired with other persons unknown to import arms and ammunition into Sierra Leone, without valid license.
The Police further claimed that the accused persons were arrested while in possession of weapons without lawful authority.
No plea was taken by the accused persons.
ASP Ibrahim Sheik Mansaray, the Police Prosecutor, then asked for an adjournment because they could not present their witnesses to testify in the hearing.
Defense counsels, J.M Jengo and Lansana Dumbuya argued that the prosecution had deprived the bench by not bringing any witness to testify in order to test the evidence.
Addressing the court, Lawyer Dumbuya said the 2nd accused, Hon. Emmanuel Saidu Conteh is a parliamentary representative that has no criminal record. He said the accused was not a flight risk and therefore should be admitted to bail together with the other three accused persons.
The Prosecutor objected to bail and same was upheld by the Magistrate. Magistrate Sahr Kekura then remanded the accused persons at the central prison and adjourned the matter to July 14.
