Attorney General Defends Inquest…Magistrate soon to be appointed

Attorney General and Minister of Justice Hon. Abdul Serry-Kamal (in photo)  told the media men in Freetown that the inquest on the death of the former Inspector General of Police, Bambay Kamara and 28 others is not a witch hunt; defending as a just course and a drive to discover the truth in the matter that led to the killing of 29 people during NPRC junta rule. He told Sierra Express Media that preparations were underway to appoint the magistrate, jurors and other officials that would serve in the inquiry.

The Attorney General alerted that the move to set up an inquest was purely legal and out of consideration to establish the truth beyond all reasonable doubt as to the circumstances that led to the death of the 29 people. He rebutted claims that the inquest had political undertones; adding that the course of justice has nothing to do with politics as the suppression of justice he noted is a recipe for chaos. He waived the fear of people by establishing that anyone that would be asked to appear before the inquest would be regarded as an informant and not an accused.

Meanwhile, various heads of civil society representation have been made on the matter with most condemning the inquest whilst others have warned that the government be careful in its handling of the matter, otherwise it would “raise dust.”

Development in the political arena has had it that the main opposition, Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) has refused to cooperate in the matter, branding it as witch hunt that is veritable with all APC governments.

Former Chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Bishop Humper has meanwhile made it abundantly clear that setting up an inquiry of that sort meant the government has no regard for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) report and its recommendations. Cross section of Freetown residents say the inquest would open up old wounds, while others think that it is necessary to investigate the procedure that led to the execution, saying bygones-should be –bygones..

It could be recalled that the National Provisional Ruling Council (NPRC) in 1992 executed 29 people who allegedly plotted a coup against the junta it its bid to gain international recognition after it seized power from the All Peoples Congress party.

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