By Jane B. Mansaray.
In the Commission of Inquiry (COI) Appeal cases hearing yesterday at the main Law Court Building on Siaka Stevens Street in Freetown, Lawyer Roland Wright has, on behalf of the Appellant Mr. Sana J. Mara, applied for a fresh evidence to be adduced.
The application was filed by a way of notice of a motion dated 16th November, 2021, supported with the affidavit of Sana Mara sworn to on 16th November 2021, together with exhibits attached.
Lawyer Roland Wright made the application pursuant to Rule 27 of the Court of Appeal Rules 1985; after filing in his synopsis on the 19th November and served on the State Respondent on the 22nd November, 2021.
In the case of the Appellant`s Applicant, Mr. Sana Mara, Lawyer Roland Wright informed the court that his client actually went to the Commission to represent himself, but was questioned by the COI Secretariat officers and even asked to make a statement.
The COI Secretariat officers asked Mr. Sana Mara to go home and promised to call him (Mara) if needed by the Commission, but according to Lawyer Wright, his client was never summoned as promised by the secretariat.
Lawyer Roland Wright said if the Commission should have heard the Applicant, the Sole Commissioner would not have arrived at the adverse findings and recommendations against his client.
The State Respondent, Lawyer Robert B. Kowa accepted that the Appellant made a statement to the secretariat.
He informed the court that he did not file an affidavit in opposition, because, there is no issue of fact, but on Law and Procedure.
Lawyer Robert B. Kowa conceded to the fact on the notice of motion, and said he would only argue on the substantive grounds of Appeal before the Court.
The Presiding Judge, Justice Ansumana Ivan Sesay has assured counsels to look into the application as to whether Rule 27 is applicable to the Appellant`s Applicant motion. Ruling on the Appellant application has been reserved and notices to be sent.
Lawyer Sulaiman Banja Tejan-Sie also made the same application on behalf of the Appellant`s Applicant, Mr. Samuel O. J. Coker.
Mr. Sana J. Mara was former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry and Samuel O. J. Coker was the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports, both were persons of interest before the COI.
Justice Alhaji Momoh Jah Stevens and Adrian Fisher are among three panel of Judges sitting on the matter.
