Trial of 16 youths takes U-turn

The accused are Baba Jaiteh, Babucarr Ceesay, Basiru Bah, Saidou Jah, Omar Ann, Alpha Nyockeh, Amadou Tijan Jallow, Alpha Omar Jallow, Balla Sarr, Modou Lamin Fatty, Lamin Saine, Yankuba Keita, Musa Jobe, Ebrima Ndow, Braham Mbowe and Bubacarr Jobe.

When they were initially arraigned on 12 September 2013, and charged with common nuisance, they all pleaded not guilty.

The case was then adjourned till 18 September 2013 for the prosecuting officer, Inspector Kanteh, to call his witness to testify.

On the adjourned date, the witness got into the witness box and swore to speak the truth.

“What is your name?” Inspector Kanteh asked the witness.

“My name is Tambary Suso,” he answered.

“Where do you live?” asked Kanteh.

“I live in Bundung,” said the witness.

“What is your occupation?” Kanteh inquired.

“I am a police officer,” the witness said.

“Where are you attached,” Kanteh enquired.

“At Bundung Police Station Taskforce Unit,” Mr Suso replied.

“Can you recall 10 September 2013?” Kanteh wanted to know.

“Yes,” said Suso.

“What transpired on this day between you and the accused persons?” questioned Kanteh.

“While I was on duty at Bundung Police Station, I reported to the Serrekunda Police Station for night patrol. The operations commander, Superintendent Jawo, asked me to go to the Serrekunda Market to raid a certain place called the Black Market. I went with the team of a taskforce to the Black Market, as I led them between 8 p.m. and 9p.m. When we arrived, we found a group of people. When some of them saw the uniformed men, they ran away. We then arrested the accused persons. We took them to the Serrekunda Police Station and I handed them over to the charge office. I then wrote a statement and signed it,” Tambary Suso concluded his testimony.

Magistrate Bojang asked the accused persons whether they had questions to ask the witness. All of a sudden, they changed their plea from not guilty to guilty, and said they were all found at the Black Market.

Inspector Kanteh, who earlier applied to the court not to grant the accused persons bail when they were first arraigned, rose and said he was withdrawing his application.

Magistrate Bojang then told the court that the accused persons would be remanded at Mile 2 until 23 September 2013, for judgement.

Tambary Suso concluded his testimony.

Magistrate Bojang asked the accused persons whether they had questions to ask the witness. All of a sudden, they changed their plea from not guilty to guilty, and said they were all found at the Black Market.

Inspector Kanteh, who earlier applied to the court not to grant the accused persons bail when they were first arraigned, rose and said he was withdrawing his application.

Magistrate Bojang then told the court that the accused persons would be remanded at Mile 2 until 23 September 2013, for judgement.