By Mohamed Mansaray in Kenema
The High Court of Sierra Leone in the Eastern Region, presided over by the High Court Judge, Hon. Justice Francis Banks-Kamara has resumed sitting on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 with the Criminal Session of the Court.
Forty-two (42) inmates were brought to Court for Committing various Offences like Murder, Store Breaking and Larceny, Sexual Penetration, House Breaking and Larceny, Burglary and Larceny, Wounding with Intent, Rape, Conspiracy, Conspiracy and Murder, Killing Animal with Intent amongst others.
Justice Banks-Kamara who doubled as Resident Judge in Kailahun with special assignment as a Supervisory judge in Kenema District to preside over all Cases Committed to High Court both Criminal and Civil, started the proceedings by asking the public to cooperate with the Court in order to achieve Justice. He called on all other players such as the SLP, SLCS, Jurors and the Forth Estate as the are also officers of the Court.
Talking about pervasion of Justice, “No matter should go beyond three Months in my Court”- he lamented. No compromise is allowed when matters are brought before him. “People failed to compromise cases at the Local Court, Police Station, Magistrate Court but want to do so at the High Court which is unacceptable”- he warned. Police and Military presence were felt around the Court premises.
Sheku Lahai of Taninahun Village in the Small-Bo Chiefdom in Kenema District appeared before Justice Francis Banks-Kamara for House Breaking and Larceny contrary to sec.26(1) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
The Accused on September 20, 2023 at Kenema City broke and entered into a dwelling house of Idrisa Henry James and stole electric cables valued NLe 40,840/00, 52 switches each valued NLe 4,116/00 all to the total valued of NLe 44,956/00, properties of Idrisa Henry James. The Accused pleaded guilty and begged for mercy.
According to the Judge, the Accused is an enemy of the State. He is one of those who are engaged in stealing the electrical cables supplied to provide electricity to Kenema”- he lamented. He therefore Sentenced the Accused to 14 years and 6 Months Imprisonment.
Copyright –Published in print in Expo Times Newspaper on Friday, May 24th , 2024 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
