Lumley Fracas: Le 174M Bail for 34 Accused Persons

Police alleged that the thirty accused persons on Tuesday 6^th November 2018 along the Goderich Road close to Leonco Fuel Station at Lumley in the Freetown Judicial District in the Western Area in the Republic of Sierra Leone were found throwing missiles indiscriminately.

They are also charged with the offence of Disorderly Behavior, which contravenes Section (12) of 1965 as amended by Section (15) Act N0. (2) of 1973 of the laws of Sierra Leone, and that on the aforementioned date all the accused persons in the dock behaved in a riotous conduct.

They were also indicted for the offence of Street Noise, contrary to Section (4) of the Public Order Act of 1965. When the charges were put to the accused persons, they pleaded not guilty to the offences charged.

Before the thirty four accused persons were admitted to bail by the presiding magistrate, the lead counsel for the accused persons, I. Kanneh canvassed the Bench to grant bail to their clients, on the grounds that the accused persons are residents in the Western Area in the Republic of Sierra Leone.

He intimated the court that their clients have reliable and credible sureties who are ready and willing to enter into recognizance on their behalf, adding that the accused persons are not flight risk and would not jump bail.

Barrister I. Kanneh further intimated the court that some of the accused persons in the dock are sick, including suckling mothers and they would always make themselves available to the court on every adjourned date.

The police prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police , ASP Eric Deen vehemently opposed bail on the grounds that if the accused persons are admitted to bail, there is the likelihood that they would interfere with the prosecution witness or witnesses and denying them bail would be in the interest of security and public safety.

After digesting and perusing the submissions of both the defense and prosecution, Magistrate Santigie Bangura admonished the accused persons to desist from such acts, and ordered them to keep away from the crime scene, before admitting them to five million Leones bail each.

The matter was adjourned to Monday 19^th  November 2018.