By Amin Kef Sesay
The Legal Aid Board represented all the 62 cases in the criminal session of the High Court in Kabala in the Koinadugu District from the 15 to 30 September 2020. The accused persons were represented by Legal Aid Counsels Mohamed Korie and Ibrahim Samba.
Twenty-three (23) accused persons were convicted and sentenced to various prison terms. These include two accused persons convicted of sexual penetration. Five (5) accused persons were discharged including one charged with Sexual Penetration and two (2) were acquitted and discharged including one (1) also charged with sexual penetration.
31 cases were adjourned to the next Criminal Session. These include five charged with sexual offences, seven assault, 17 larceny and 2 murder related offences. Two of the adjourned matters were referred to the Mental Home and 28 persons who were on bail were issued bench warrant.
The Executive Director of the Legal Aid Board, Ms. Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanciles has told Paralegals in Koinadugu and Falaba Districts to intensify community, school and radio outreach events to ensure a smooth return of clients and more importantly their reintegration into the community. ‘We are particularly concerned about the return and reintegration of those who committed serious offence and this is why our intervention will continue in the long run,’ she said, adding ‘Reintegration is a process.’
