By Jane B. Mansaray.
The matter between the State and former staff of First International Bank (SL) LTD, now known as Vista Bank (SL) LTD, has been adjourned to Friday 13th August 2021 for proper arraignment and commencement of trial before Justice Aiah Simeon Allieu in Freetown.
The adjournment was at the request of Defense Counsel, Drucil E. Taylor on behalf of the fifth accused person, John Emmanuel Eze on the grounds of timeliness with respect to the many count charges.
Lawyer Drucil E. Taylor in agreement with other Defense Counsels requested for a more convenient date for the charges to be properly put to the accused persons before taken their plea.
The State Prosecutor, Joseph Andrew K. Sesay did not object to defense counsel`s request and was granted by the presiding Justice Aiah Simeon Allieu.
The accused persons, Alfred Aiah Saquee-Kamanda, Mohamed Mallam Kamara, George Yammah, Steven Okeke and John Emmanuel Eze; all former staff of the aforesaid Bank in Freetown, were yesterday re-arraigned at the High Court on main Law Court Building, Siaka Stevens Street in Freetown.
All five accused persons are to answer to 186 counts criminal offences, ranging from conspiracy to larceny, contrary to the Larceny Act of 1916.
At the mention of the matter, Lawyer Drucil E. Taylor informed the court of the prosecution`s failure to serve the defense with the factual witnesses` statement made during the investigation. “With Section 136 of the Criminal Procedure Act of 1965 application, it is imperative for the State prosecutor to serve the defense with the rules of evidence,” Lawyer Drucil E. Taylor argued.
He supported his argument with the Supreme Court judgment case of Makah Jalloh.
Justice Aiah Simeon Allieu encouraged the defense to wait for the appropriate time to make the application, as he (Taylor) has more time to make applications.
State Prosecutor, Joseph Andrew K. Sesay made an application for an amendment with respect to the indictment prepared at the Law Officers Department, particularly with the particulars on Counts 7 to 16.
The amendment has to do with dates on the particulars of offence, with the word, `diverse dates’ to be replaced with a date unknown.
Lawyer JAK Sesay submitted that the application will not cause any injustice to the trial and the accused persons, especially when they are not yet properly arraigned before the court.
Justice Aiah Simeon Allieu granted the application for an amendment and ordered the accused persons bail to be continued on the same bail conditions ordered by the previous Judge.
