By Jane B. Mansaray.
Appeal Court Judge, Justice Monfred Momoh Sesay has refused to hear the matter between the State and an accused person, John Alie Sankoh alias “Strong Life” because the latter appeared before him without putting on a face mask or having a face covering.
“This is negligence on the part of the Correctional Service as the Covid-19 pandemic is still aroundโฆ Failing to adhere to health protocols and regulations in the fight against the pandemic is totally unacceptable”, Justice Monfred Momoh Sesay fumed.
The presiding Judge has vowed not to hear any matter if the parties concerned in any matter do not adhere strictly to health protocols.
โThis is not a threat but a way to help implement guidelines put in place by the government in the fight against the spread of the Corona Virus Pandemic in Sierra Leoneโ, the Judge noted.
John Alie Sankoh was 18 years old at the time of his arrest on 2nd October 2020 in Freetown, and after police investigation he was charged to court for the offence of burglary and larceny Preliminary Investigation (PI) conducted at a Magistrate Court.
The particulars on Police charge sheet state that the accused person, John Alie Sankoh aka Strong Life on the 29th September 2020 in Freetown, with intent to steal allegedly broke and entered into the dwelling house of Patrick Lakkoh Conteh and stole therein one LG Mobile phone valued at Two Million Leones, one Nokia Mobile phone valued One Hundred Thousand Leones and One Musical Blue tooth valued Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Leones all to the total value of Two Million Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand Leones, property of Samuel Karan Kay Conteh.
John Alie Sankoh was later committed to the High Court for trial without bail. The matter came up at the January 2021 Criminal Session of the Judiciary Calendar and was assigned for trial before the presiding Justice Monfred Momoh Sesay on the same indictment.
Lawyer Solomon Christian Kekura is prosecuting the matter on behalf of the State while Lawyer Ansumana Kanu from the Legal Aid Board is defending the accused person.
The matter has been adjourned to 7th October, 2021 for hearing, and the accused has been remanded at the Pademba Road Maximum Male Correctional Centre.
