By Saio Marrah
Ten accused persons appeared before Magistrate Mark Ngegba at Pademba Road Court No.1 in Freetown and were remanded in custody for allegedly committing public order offences ranging from holding placards without approval, and throwing missiles in public.
The alleged offences happened on June 13th 2023 at two separate locations at Foamex - Calaba Town and Portee Junction in Eastern Freetown.
The first prosecution witness Superintendent John S. Koroma informed the court that on Monday 10th July this year he was on duty when he was informed about a protest at Portee Junction and he then went to the scene with his personnel.
On arrival, he said he met protesters holding placards while blocking the main street, obstructing free movement of vehicles and pedestrians.
According to Superintendent Koroma, he encouraged the protesters to be calm and to get off the street to allow free movement of vehicles, but that the protesters started throwing stones at them and passing vehicles. He said that prompted him to order their arrest and detention at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation.
The Portee rioters facing three counts of failure to give notice for the procession, behaving in a disorderly manner and throwing missiles are 23-year-old Yusufu Caulker, 20-year-old Momoh Koroma, 16-year-old Abu Bangura, 19-year-old Ibrahim Sesay and 17-year-old Alpha Kargbo.
The other five arrested at Calaba Town for failure to give notice for procession include 34-year-old Ibrahim S. Foday, 28-year-old Alusine Koroma, 32-year-old Tejan Conteh, 26-year-old John Bangura of Calaba Town and 50-year-old Mohamed Kargbo.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (12/07/23)
