By Feima Sesay
50 Years Old Ali Jaffal has on Friday 26th April 2024 sent on remand by Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba road court No2 for being found in possession of Pistol with amunitions.
The accused who made his first appearance in court was arraigned on six count charges ranging from possession of arms without license contrary to section 22 (1) of the Sierra Leone commission on arms and amunitions Act 2023, possession of amunition without license, having in control of small arms without license, unlawful concealment of arms without license, keeping greater number of small arms without license and carrying offensive weapon all contrary to the laws of Sierra Leone.
According to the particulars of offense, the accused Ali Jaffal on Saturday 6th April 2024, at the Young Sports Club (YSC) facility at Wilkinson road Freetown was found in possession of one Makarov pistol without license.
The police further alleged that the accused on the same date and place was found in possession of 6 caliber of 919 milimeter without license.
It was alleged further that the accused was found carrying offensive weapon in a public place without lawful authority.
The prosecutor CSP Juan Bull said they had only received the file and in the circumstance requested for an adjournment to call their witnesses in order to proceed with the matter.
Lead counsel JOP Manley Spain applied for bail on behalf of the accused on the basis that he is not a flight risk neither will he interfere with the witnesses.
She added that the accused is a respectable person and a first time offender, and had serious medical condition that has to do with his heart and therefore needs to be at his house to receive proper treatment.
According to her, the accused was not supposed to be in Sierra Leone noting that regulation 7 (1b) of the bail regulations makes the circumstance of the accused one that he should put on bail.
The accused, she said, is presumed innocent until proven guilty though the offences are serious and her application was made pursuant to section 79 (2&3) of the criminal procedure Act No32 of 1965.
CSP Juan Bull opposed to the application for bail made by defense counsel on the grounds that the offences for which the accused was charged is serious, adding that they had affidavit in opposition to bail identifying reasons for their objections to bail.
Magistrate Santigie Bangura having listened to both sides refused bail and reminded the accused in prison and the matter was adjourned to Monday 29th April 2024 for further hearing.
