By Audrey Raymonda John

The alleged obstruction matter between the State and the Freetown City Council (FCC) Mayor, Yvonne Aki Sawyer has continued hearing before Principal Magistrate Mark N’gegba of  Pademba Road Court No.1 in Freetown.

The accused Yvonne Aki Sawyer has been standing trial for two counts offences ranging from disorderly behavior and obstruction of Police duty contrary to law.

According to the particulars of offence, on Saturday 17th September, 2022 at the Airport Police division, Lungi Kaffu bullom chiefdom, Portloko Judicial District, the accused obstructed Sergeant Richard Junior Caulker and Corporal 12225 Fanta Fofanah when executing their lawful duties and at the same time the accused did behave in a disorderly manner.

In her responses to the continuation of cross examination by the State Counsel Y.I Sesay, the accused revealed that her actual takeoff time was 7:15Pm and the Airline was Air France.

Lawyer Sesay suggested to the accused that when she went to the police station, she did not ask about the warrant of arrest for councilor Sheku Turay, but she rather asked the Police; why they should arrest the councilor without a warrant; the Mayor responded that she did ask about the warrant of arrest.

Mayor Aki Sawyer confirmed that she said a person cannot be detained without a warrant of arrest.

The state Prosecutor asked that it was after Councilor Turay informed her about his arrest which touches on the August 10th arrest that the she asked to speak to a senior police personnel; the accused replied that what she recalled was that when she spoke with the police they told her that they were junior officers and that was why she asked to speak with a senior police personnel.

Madam Aki Sawyer further replied that she could not recall how many minutes she spent at the police station and when she left the Police station one police offered her help to see the Local Unit Commander (LUC).

The accused Mayor Aki Sawyer boldly responded that she made a live Facebook video when she moved outside the office.

Principal Magistrate Mark N’gegba adjourned the matter to Monday 30th January 2023 as the State Counsel concluded cross-examination.