By Audrey Raymonda John

As the ongoing treason trial of Amadu Koita Makalo and elven others continue on Thursday at the High Court of Sierra Leone, the Chief Officer at the Male Correctional Centre, Officer Smith informed the court that the eight accused Bai Mamoud Bangura is absent in court due to his health condition and he has been hospitalized.

Officer Smith presented the medical report of Bai Mamoud Bangura before Justice Komba Kamanda and the panel of jurors to prove that he is seriously sick and hospitalized.

Lawyer Africanus Sesay representing Bai Mamoud Bangura stated that he also has a medical report of his client from the Correctional Center.

Whiles looking at the medical report, both defense and prosecution team agreed that they did not see any attachment on the medical report of Bai Mamoud Bangura.

At the heat of their argument, Justice Kamanda said he needed to speak with the medical officer at the Correctional Center for him to send the ECG(scan) report that should be attached to the medical report.

The learned judge said in the absence of Bai Mamoud Bangura he has to adjourned the matter because the matter cannot go on with the absence of any of the accused.

On the other hand, the twelve accused Abdul Sorie Hassan Kamara raised his hands and explained to the judge that for the past three weeks his relatives were not allowed to visit him, he added that he has people that should pay him, but they do not have the opportunity to visit him and therefore, pleaded with the judge for his people to see him.

Accused Kamara further informed the court that the prison officers told him that they would not allow visitors to visit them except there is an order from the court.

Lawyer Ady Macaulay representing the third accused  Sergeant 10020 Emmanuel Salifu Kamara also raised the same concern.

Lawyer Macaulay further states that the laid down procedures is  discriminating as they are allowing other Inmates to have visitors but their clients do not have access to visitation.

State Counsel Ahmed James Bockarie in reply stated that if the defense are bitter they should make an application to state their claims.

He said what the defense are saying lies on the Correctional facility to be seeking visitors for their clients whiles in custody.

He said the judge has earlier ruled on the area of visitation for the accused.

He added that there should be a laid down procedures when an application is made before the court.

Bockarie emphasized that the application made by defense Counsel should not be oral it should be in a form of an affidavit because the allegation made against the Correctional Center is strong and so it should be in a form of a document.

Justice Komba Kamanda addressed the court that the defense Counsels should filed a paper to the Correctional Center so that they will hear from them on this issue.

He furthered that the defense should file their grievances before the court in the form of an affidavit.

The matter was adjourned to Monday 26 February, 2024 for continuation.