By Septimus Senessie in Kono
The presiding magistrate in Koidu, eastern Sierra Leone on Tuesday discharged the long awaited trial of 6 accused persons for want of prosecution after they had appeared 14 times without the complainant showing up. The 6 were charged to court by the police in December last year on 5 counts bordering on threatening remarks, malicious damaged to property, incitement and disorderly behaviour during an industrial action by mine workers of OCTEA mining company over improved pay and condition of service which left two people dead. In his ruling, Magistrate During said that “after examining the application of the defence lawyer of the 6 accused persons, Barrister Patrick Njenda John Bull your application was granted and therefore, the matter against the 6 accused has been discharged”. In an exclusive interview with Politico, the defence lawyer Johnbul, who was hired by the international human rights organization, Amnesty International said that he was “overwhelmed, fulfilled and complete” because of the ruling. He said he was pleased that his clients had been freed after six months in custody “without trials”. He said that the accused had their rights trampled upon by the employers prompting him to join in the matter through Amnesty International. The defence lawyer assured his clients of legal action against OCTEA Mining for their detention for six months without a case and for “arbitrarily sacking” them from work. He said their employers only dragged them to court to “evade” the rightful decision for improved conditions. He also entreated them to behave within the ambit of the laws. One of the accused persons, Michel Tamba Nyandemoh expressed satisfaction over their discharge saying “we are happy today for regaining our freedom as freedom comes first”. He said that even though the alleged case against them was discharged, they were still concerned about their safety and security which he said was at stake in the hands of the company and some of the stakeholders in the district. (C) Politico 05/07/13
