Sierra Leone’s Acting Chief Justice, His Lordship Justice Nicholas C. Browne-Marke, officially opened the September 2024 High Court Criminal Calendar today, presiding over a call-over session involving ninety-four (94) criminal cases. These cases, which were brought before the High Court, mark the start of this year’s September criminal proceedings.
The call-over serves the purpose of recording the pleas of all accused individuals who have been committed for trial by the Magistrates’ Courts, as well as those indicted with a judge’s written consent. During the session, if an accused person pleads guilty to the charges against them, the Presiding Judge moves directly to sentencing. For those pleading not guilty, the cases are adjourned to specific dates when trials will commence, assigned to individual judges.
The ceremony began with a Guard of Honour presented by the Sierra Leone Police.
This criminal session features a wide range of offences, including treason, murder, conspiracy, robbery with aggravation, larceny, house and office breaking, fraudulent conversion, wounding with intent, and unlawful possession of drugs, among others. Among the notable statistics, seven (7) cases involving eight (8) accused individuals are related to murder, while eight (8) cases of robbery with aggravation have also been indicted. Additionally, the session’s records indicate that thirty-eight (38) cases involving forty-six (46) accused persons are connected to various forms of larceny, making it the most common offence for this session.
One significant case includes that of 49-year-old George Adams, who faces a three-count indictment for treason, misprision of treason, and murder. The State alleges that Adams, between November 5 and November 26, 2023, conspired with unknown individuals to overthrow the Sierra Leonean government by unlawful means. He is accused of planning to seize control of key military installations, including the 5th Battalion Headquarters at Wilberforce Barracks and the Joint Force Command Headquarters at Cockerill Barracks, along with other strategic sites in Freetown. Adams pleaded not guilty to all charges and has been remanded in custody, awaiting trial on October 1, 2024.
Other cases heard included that of 22-year-old plumber, Santigie Mansaray, who pleaded guilty to housebreaking and larceny. He was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment. Similarly, 23-year-old security guard, Yusif Thoelly, and 27-year-old laborer, Alimamy Bangura, both pleaded guilty to office breaking and larceny, with Thoelly also charged with store breaking. They were each sentenced to five years’ imprisonment.
The assignment of cases to various trial judges will continue tomorrow as the session proceeds. The Criminal Session is held four times a year, providing a structured approach to handling Sierra Leone’s legal cases.
0 Comments