By Feima Sesay
Justice Komba Kamanda, presiding judge in the ongoing treason trial, has on Wednesday 26th June 2024 made an order for Bai Mahmoud Bangura to stand trial separately and also for his name to remain on the indictment whiles the trial proceeds.
He made this order after the state prosecutor A J M Bockarie made an application for the accused to stand trial alone due to his continuous ailment.
Lawyer Bockarie, in his application, informed the court that for the past three weeks the matter was delayed due to Bai Mahmoud’s continuous ailment, adding that the trial is at a critical stage wherein justice should not be delayed.
The accused reported health condition, he said, has contributed to the delay of the matter and in the circumstance sought the order of the court to direct the trial of the 8th accused on counts 1, 2 13 and 14 respectively to be separated from the rest of the other accused persons and for his name to remain on the indictments.
His application was made pursuant to section 148 sub section 3 of the Criminal Procedure Act No32 of 1965.
Lawyer Bockarie also asked for two weeks adjournment to commence his trial.
Justice Kamanda however granted his application and ordered that the accused be tried separately and that his name remains on the indictments.
The matter was adjourned to the 10th July 2024 for Bai Mahmoud Bangura to open his case.
Bai Mahmoud Bangura before the commencement of the proceedings was brought to court in a critical condition while responding to treatment.
It was due to his health condition that the application was made for him to be tried separately.
