Juvenile Status Dispute Takes Centre Stage in Kroo Town Road Riot Case
A legal question over whether one of 11 defendants should be treated as a child has put juvenile protections at the centre of a riot case before Pademba Road Court No. 1.
Defence lawyer Ibrahim F. Sawaneh asked Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah to consider the status of Bannister Samba, the tenth defendant, whose age is listed as 14 in the charge particulars. Sawaneh argued that the Child Rights Act 2007, as amended in 2025, raises questions about the court proceedings involving Samba.
The prosecution, led by Juan M. S. Bull, opposed the application, stating that the defence had not provided sufficient evidence to establish that Samba is 14 years old.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Magistrate Jah remanded all defendants and adjourned the matter to October 5, 2026, when he is expected to deliver a ruling on the application.
Details of the Unrest and Charges
The age dispute comes as all 11 defendants face four counts linked to alleged unrest at Kroo Town Road and surrounding areas in Freetown on September 13, 2026. The charges allege that the defendants carried offensive weapons, threw missiles at combined police personnel, and engaged in riotous and disorderly conduct.
The defendants pleaded not guilty when the charges were read and explained. The allegations have not been proven in court.
Defence counsel I. Samba and Ibrahim F. Sawaneh represented the accused.
The court’s forthcoming ruling will address the application concerning Samba’s age, while the overall case against all 11 defendants remains ongoing before the court.
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