The Legal Aid Board (LAB) on Monday January 31, 2022 secured the discharge of 16 inmatesfrom various High Courts around the country during the first day of the Judicial Week.
Of the 16, three were discharged by Honourable Justice Monfred Sesay JA; five by Justice Ivan Sesay JA; one by Justice Jamestina King JA, four by Justice Momo-Jah Stevens JA; one by Justice Komba Kamanda JA,and two by Justice Albert Moody J.14 of the 16 beneficiaries were discharged in Freetown while the two were freed in Kono. Prior to their release, the beneficiaries were standing trials on multiple charges ranging from conspiracy to murder, wounding with intent,larceny in a dwelling house, etc.
Speaking to the LAB, one of the beneficiaries, Moses Safia Sesay,described life behind bars as horrible and traumatic.
Moses thanked the Legal Aid Board for its intervention, saying without the Board only God knows what would have happened to them. He informed the Board of his intention to go back to his native home in Kono district.
Another, Yusif Mansaray alias Small Voice, according to LAB records has been on remand since 2010. Prior to his release, Yusif was battling a one-count charge of murder which was later lowered to manslaughter.
Yusif was released on medical grounds as his twelve years’ incarceration has left himdumb and partially-paralyzed.Heis illiterate and cannot write or say a word on where he hailsfrom.Yusif’sfilehas long gone missing and was only brought to court that day on a remand warrant according to court officials.Thisstate of affairs left the Board contemplatingover where he should be taken, especially after attempts to have him taken to the Don Bosco proved futile.
Another, Abu Bakarr Conteh who was discharged by Honourable Justice Monfred Sesay on the groundsthat he should be taken to Kenema to his parents, expressed gratitude to the Board, the judiciary and the government.Abu assured the Board of his commitment to remain a peaceful and law abiding citizen.
Speaking to the beneficiaries in her post discharge remarks, the Executive Director of the Board, Ms Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanciles,admonished them to be peaceful and law abiding. She urgedthem to engage in somethingmeaningful even if it means going into farming, noting that they should use lessons learnt to help shape their future.She averred that the Board will be constrained to provide representation to repeated offenders
Ms Carlton-Hanciles thanked the Chief Justicefor the initiative and the learned judges for theirmagnanimity in setting free innocent souls. She called on LAB counsels to continue with their good work in ensuring that indigent persons are well represented.
The Executive Directoralsoused the opportunity to provide transport fare to beneficiariesand to make calls to their relatives on their release. She further usedthe opportunity to hand over Abu Bakarr Conteh to Agnes Mattiacommonly known as Lady Mattia for him to be taken to Kenema as ordered by Justice Monfred Sesay.Provision was also made for the sick Yusif Mansaray to be taken to Makeni.
The accused persons were represented by LAB Counsels Cecilia Tucker who also doubles as the Legal Aid Manager, Ibrahim Foday Mansaray Esq,Randy S. Bangura Esq; Morrison KarimuEsq; Ibrahim Bangura Esq;Abraham Kargbo Esq, etc.
In another development, the Board has on Tuesday 1stand Wednesday 2ndalso secured the discharge of twenty-three (23) others bringing the total to 39.
Source: LAB