By Saio Marrah
Eight men have appeared before a Magistrate Court in Freetown over an alleged attack on Gateway Evangelist Ministry Church, at Quarry, Kissy, east of Freetown.
The Overseer of the church, Apostle Amos Laurence Lelleh as the first Prosecution Witness narrated at the Pademba Road Court No.1 on Thursday 12th October 2023, how the attack happened on Sunday 24th October this year, the day of their Thanksgiving.
He said he was at home preparing for service when at 8:15 in the morning he heard people shouting his name and saying people were destroying the church.
He told the court that when he went out of his house, he could see from a distance of about 200 metres, smoke billowing from the church and people destroying its windows.
The witness said he went to the scene, where he met some Police officers at the entrance, while others were in the church compound firing teargas.
He also informed the court that the Police officers prevented him from entering the premises of the church for about three minutes before he was allowed in.
People were still throwing stones and there was fire at the entrance and basement of the church, he explained.
The witness claimed many church properties including the Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras, three computers, and solar security bulbs were destroyed.
The court learnt from him that his mobile phone also got missing and estimated the value of properties destroyed at 545 million old Leones.
According to him, three members of the church, who were with him, insisted that the Police should arrest the first accused, Alpha Bangura.
The witness also noted that Police made some arrests, others escaped, while some military personnel arrested the first accused Alpha Bangura who was in a room at his brother’s house in the neighbourhood where the church is located. He said the brother fled.
He said those arrested were taken to the Kissy Barracks Police Station, and later transferred to the Ross Road Police Station, where he also made a statement.
During cross-examination by Lawyer Julian Cole, he said he was not aware if someone reached out to the Police to go to the scene.
Responding to a question about who owns the Driveway, PW1 said it was given to him and the church and refuted claims that it is exclusively owned by the first accused.
All the accused were however granted bail after an application by Cole, who argued that the Police had granted his clients bail before and they went to the court voluntarily.
The Church, Gateway Evangelist Ministry is located behind Hotel 5-10, a community called Quarry in Kissy, Eastern Freetown. The first accused, a 45-year-old trader, was seen in court in a wheelchair.
The accused face seven counts of conspiracy, sacrilege, attempted arson, malicious damage, throwing missiles, riotous conduct and disorderly behavour. The Preliminary Investigation resumes 20 October this year.
Apart from Alpha Bangura's first accused, the seven others are Patteh Jalloh, Dauda Jalloh, Santigie Koroma, Abdul Bangura, Alimamy Koroma, Issa Bangura and Mohamed Conteh.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (13/10/23)
