By Saio Marrah
Footage from one of the Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras installed at the main entrance to the Pademba Road Correctional Centre tendered at the ongoing court martial on Friday 12th April, 2024 captured the scene of a military vehicle being used to repeatedly crash into gate of the main prison with the intention to force it open between 08:.00 and 08:34 on 26th November, 2023.
The footage also captured armed people fully dressed in the gears of the police Operational Support Division (OSD) while one of those at the gate in white T-Shirt was captured firing teargas into the prison compound.
The other CCTV camera inside the compound showed teargas canisters being exploded inside the prison compound.
Led in by the state lead prosecutor, Joseph A.K. Sesay, the 31st prosecution witness, Derrick Teckham, Assistant Information Technology and Communication(ITC) officer attached to the Correctional Service, backed the footage up with an explanation of what happened on that day.
The witness said his duties as ITC officer included to analyze CCTV footage and to routinely check and ensure that all the CCTV cameras are functioning effectively.
The witness said he also regulates the cameras and sets aside footage that are of interest to the management of the correctional center for security purposes.
Copyright © 2024 Politico (15/04/24)
