Sierra Leone’s Acting Chief Justice, His Lordship Justice Nicholas C. Browne-Marke, has today commenced proceedings (Call Over) on ninety-four (94) criminal cases brought before the High Court marking the opening of the September 2024 High Court Criminal calendar.
The High Court ‘call over’ of cases is to take the pleas of all accused persons committed for trial by Magistrates’ Courts and those whose indictments were preferred with the consent in writing of a Judge. Where an accused person pleads guilty to any offence, the Presiding Judge will proceed to sentencing. For a not guilty plea, the cases were adjourned to a specific date when the case trial will commence before a Judge to whom the case will be assigned.
The opening ceremony and call-over of cases was preceded by the Guard of Honour mounted by the Sierra Leone Police.
Ninety-four (94) accused persons are before the court for various criminal offences, including treason, murder, conspiracy, robbery with aggravation, larceny, house & office breaking, fraudulent conversion, wounding with intent and unlawful possession of drugs, among others.
This session’s record reveals that seven (7) cases involving eight (8) accused persons were indicted for the offence of murder and eight (8) cases of Robbery with Aggravation.
Additionally, thirty-eight (38) other files with forty-six (46) accused persons have been indicted for various forms of Larceny, putting it top on this list of offences for this session.
Some of the cases heard included that of 49-year-old George Adams, who is before the Court to answer to a three-count indictment of Treason, Misprision of Treason and Murder. The States alleges that the accused Adams, on a date unknown between the 11th day of November 2023 at Freetown in the Western Area of the Republic of Sierra Leone, prepared to overthrow the government of Sierra Leone by unlawful means.
The State further alleges that the accused, on the 5th day of November 2023 and on diverse between that day and the 26th day of November 2023 in Sierra Leone, conspired with other persons unknown conspired together with others persons’ to overthrow the government of Sierra Leone in that they agreed to seize and take control of the 5th Battalion Headquarters at Wilberforce Barracks in Freetown, the Joint Force Command Headquarters at Cockerill Barracks, the 3rd Infantry Brigade Headquarters at Murray Town Barracks, the Sierra Leone Correctional Centres in Freetown, the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation Establishment at New England in Freetown and to overthrow and take control of the Government of Sierra Leone by unlawful means.
Mr Adams pleaded not guilty to all three charges during his arraignment and was remanded in custody until the 1st of October when he’ll appear before his trial judge.
22-year-old Plumber Santigie Mansaray pleaded guilty to the charge of House Breaking and Larceny and was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment.
23-year-old Security Guard Yusif Thoelly, and 27-year-old Labourer Alimamy Bangura both pleaded guilty to the counts of Office Breaking and Larceny and Store Breaking and Larceny, respectfully, for which they were sentenced to five years imprisonment each. The call-over and onward assignment of files to various trial judges continues tomorrow.
The Criminal Session is held four times every year.
