By Esther Wright
In a series of High Court sittings presided over by Acting Chief Justice His Lordship Justice Nicholas Browne-Marke, the Legal Aid Board (LAB) has successfully secured the discharge of 19 accused persons in Freetown. These releases, spanning October 7 to October 21, 2024, were part of the LAB’s efforts to provide legal representation to the indigent accused.
The individuals discharged include Alhassan Bangura, Mohamed Lamin Gobba, Alex Kamara, Alusine Conteh, Sheka Kamara, Foday Koroma, Alpha Koroma, Foday Mansaray (alias Rap Jay), Komba Fomba, Alusine Sesay, Ibrahim Kamara, Alhassan Marrah, Daniel Conteh, Mustapha Kargbo, Amadu Samba, Alhassan Conteh, Sulaiman Kamara, Ballay Kamara, and Alie Conteh. Among them, three were acquitted, while sixteen were discharged for lack of prosecution.
Since the start of the September Criminal Session, this brings the total number of LAB-represented individuals discharged from High Court in Freetown to twenty-six. The accused faced a range of charges, including conspiracy, robbery with aggravation, wounding with intent, fraudulent conversion, and shop breaking and larceny.
Executive Director of the Legal Aid Board, Ms. Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanciles, addressed the discharged individuals with words of caution and encouragement. She advised them to embrace hard work, live within their means, and avoid any actions that could lead to further legal troubles. Ms. Carlton-Hanciles highlighted the perseverance of differently-abled individuals on Sani Abacha Street, who support themselves with small jobs despite hardships, as a positive example of resilience. She urged the released individuals to contribute positively to their communities.
Ms. Carlton-Hanciles praised Acting Chief Justice Browne-Marke for his commitment to fair and timely justice and affirmed the Board’s dedication to defending those unable to afford legal representation.
One of the beneficiaries, Alusine Conteh, who was acquitted of conspiracy and shop breaking charges, expressed gratitude to the LAB for their support and pledged to remain a law-abiding citizen. He and others received representation from Legal Aid Counsels Cecilia Tucker, Ibrahim Samba, and Cyril Taylor-Younge.
In a related development, the LAB’s resident lawyer for Kono district, Counsel Alpha O. Kamara, secured the release of six more individuals from the Sefadu Magistrate Court in Koidu City. Magistrate Joseph Tobby presided over these cases, which involved charges ranging from threatening to kill to other allegations.
The Legal Aid Board’s ongoing efforts reflect its commitment to ensuring justice for those without means, reinforcing the rule of law, and contributing to societal stability by supporting fair legal outcomes for all.
