In his plea of mitigation earlier, lead defense counsel, Francis Ben Kaifala, canvassed the bench by stating that the accused persons had expressed regret for their actions and their incarceration at the Male Correctional Centre was enough to lessen the penalty for them because they had realised that violence was no longer fashionable in the Sierra Leonean.
He said his clients had shown remorse, and that, they never wasted the court’s precious time to plead guilty to the charges preferred against them, noting that he used his good offices to continue to caution accused and for them to uphold the laws of the land and to further desist from such inimical activities.
Barrister Kaifala also noted that accused persons were first time offenders of the law who had been taught lessons and cautioned, about what the laws of the land requires from any citizen, and concluded by pleading with the presiding Magistrate, not to hammer down a custodian sentence against accused persons.
Before admitting accused persons on bail, Magistrate Kamara, admonished pupils to pay great attention to their academic work, rather than perpetrating violence against members of the public, and further engaging in anti-social activities, that are inimical to the development and security of the state.
He maintained that as pupils, they should focus and engaged in activities that would foster peace, unity and love among them, stating that, they are the future of the future generation, and eventually convicted and sentenced all accused to twelve months imprisonment, or pay a fine of Le140,000.
Meanwhile, sixteen people who were arrested and charged to court for allegedly operating an illegal deal at Gbalamuya, Madina and Bamoi in Kambia district, on Thursday, appeared at court N0.1 in Freetown, before Magistrate, Dr Abubakar Binneh Kamara.
1st prosecution witness, who continues to lead evidence on the matter stated that, a combined team of CID personnel, the anti-smuggling unit of the National Revenue Authority, Office of National Security visited several filling stations in Kambia, Madina township and Bamoi.
The witness further intimated the court that, searches were conducted and several documents were discovered, but at this stage of proceedings, Prosecuting Officer, ASP Samuel Kamara requested for an adjournment, to enable him bring forward documents, which the witness claimed, they discovered during their search in the above mentioned towns in Kambia District, in respect of the matter before the court.
The matter was adjourned to 5 December 2016.
