By Audrey Raymonda John

According to the application made by State Counsel, Ahmad J.M. Bockarie, emphasized that My Lord, we are at a critical stage of this trial, wherein justice should not be delayed for the eight accused as a result of his illness.

“From our observation if we continue to have the 8th accused, Bai Mahmodu Bangura in this case due to his aliment this matter will delay, therefore we are seeking your order to separate the trail of the 8th accused from the rest of the accused,” he made this statement before Justice Komba Kamanda on Wednesday 26th June, 2024 at the High Court of Sierra Leone during the treason trial.

Bockarie made this application during the court proceedings, stating that they have noticed that for the past three adjournment and it’s evidently clear that the 8th accused has severe aliment which could  delay the proceedings.

He furthered made his application that the trial of Bai Mamodu Bangura which he stood before the Court on counts 1, 4, 13 and 14 to be separated from the rest of the accused and for his name to remain on the indictment whilst the proceeding continues.

State Counsel penned his application pursuant to Section 148 (3) of the Criminal Procedure Act of 1965.

The Defense Counsel representing the 8th accused, Ady Macaulay informed the court that he would not object to the application made by the prosecution for his client trial to be separated from the other accused.

On this basis, Justice Komba Kamanda ruled that in the interest of justice and for speedy trial of the matter he granted the application for a separate trail for the 8th accused due to his health condition.

The physical conditions of Bai Mahmodu Bangura whiles on a wheelchair with drip hanged on him, collapsed in front of Justice Komba Kamanda   showed that he was going through critical challenge. Similarly, the entire scene led to the delay of proceedings.