Disregard – AG shuns prosecution of police murderer
Findings as in report submitted to President Koroma by persons appointed to investigate the September 9th Bo instability points fingers at four police officers with regard to the murdering, shooting and wounding of unarmed civilians. (Photo: Attorney General, Frank Kargbo)
Abdulai Sesay, a bike rider in Bo, was murdered in cold blood by police constable 12381 B. S Mansaray.
Additionaly, gunshot wounds inflicted against nine others was caused by Police Constables 12558 Alhansan Khandi Conteh, 12562 Augustine Sanu and Sergeant 6220 Conteh Kekuda all of Bo police, the report says.
Even though some set of supporters of the governing All People Congress (APC) and the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) have been charged to court for perpetrating of violence in Bo town, the office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice has until now not officially authorized the prosecution of four police officers accused of murdering and shooting unarmed civilians during the unrest.
Just last week, detectives attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters in Freetown, upon the orders of the Minster of Justice Franklyn Karbgo, arraigned before Magistrate Johannes Wellington of Court 2, 14 persons accused of perpetrating the Bo town unrest.
In the midst of the accused was one of SLPP’s Members of Parliament, Honourable Foday Rado Yokie of Constituency 68 in Bo district.
The accused have had two court appearances, but despite requests from the string of defense lawyers, all were refused bail and made to sleep in the cells at the country’s central maximum prison at Pademba Roa din the capital city ofFreetown.
Facts have it that the 13 man team of investigators appointed to look into reasons surrounding the Bo violence, in their findings stated that the police underestimated the ‘thank you’ visit of the SLPP flag bearer and therefore failed to provide adequate security for a population of about 50,000 people.
The report stated however that the shooting resulting in the death of an individual and the injuring of number of persons was directly the fault of the police in Bo.
“One suspect has been identified, 12381 B.S Mansary (alias White Boy) as responsible for the killing,” the report stated.
“Three armed OSD personnel have been held responsible for the gunshot wounds. The suspects are PC 12558 Alhansan Khandi Conteh, PC 12562 Augustine Sanu and Sgt 6220 Conteh Kekuda.”
Public’s assessments are that civilians accused of committing violence during the Bo disturbance have been arraigned before the court, but police officers equally accused of murdering one and shooting nine have not at all been made to face justice.
That government should go by discovery in the Bo investigation report and prosecute all accused of perpetrating violence uniformly and without any restraint.
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