By Jane B. Mansaray.
As by its crimianl jurisdiction calendar, the High Court of Sierra Leone Judiciary, yesterday opened its September Criminal Session for trial of all manners of accused persons; presided over by Justice Nicolas Browne Marke, Justice of the Supreme Court.
The September 2022 criminal session was opened with a calling-over hearing of matters. A total of over eighty (80) various criminal offences on indictment are proferred at the Law Officers Department in Freetown. Mostly dominated offences in the September 2022 Judicial criminal call-over calendar is Larceny, with a total of 22 cases, followed by Murder and Wounding with intent; with a total of eleven cases each.
Third on the list is Robbery with aggravation and Robbery with violence, with a total of 10 cases and Fradulent Conversion with a total of 9 cases. Possession of Small arms without a valid licence and concealing Small arms is another and one Bugglary case.
Most of the accused persons that were arraigned on larceny offences pleaded guilty, and they are to appear today, 21st September,2022 for sentencing; and those that pleaded not guilty, were granted bail.
All the accused persons in this year`s September Criminal Session were within the youthful age bracket, with only two female and the rest male brought from the Maximum Correctional Centre in Freetown.
Lawyer Aruna Jalloh led the team of State Counsels representing the State, and woman Lawyer, Cecilia Tucker from the Legal Aid Board represented the accused persons.
The accused persons were before the court for trial on commital warrant from Magistrate Court, after a Preliminary Investigation (PI) hearing conducted by Magistartes; on grounds of having cases to answer at the High Court.
The accused persons continue to be remanded, awaiting proper trial from the respective Judges that will be assigned to try them.
Justice Nicolars Browne Marke in agreement with the Lead State Counsel, Aruna Jalloh has adjourned the matters to the 27th September,2022 for proper trial.
The calling- over sessions will continue today,21st September 2022, on main Law Court Building along Siaka Stevens Street in Freetown.
