Police Testify Three Accused Carried Weapons During Kroo Town Road Unrest
A police witness testified in a Freetown court that officers arrested three defendants in possession of a flat iron, a locally made cutlass, and an empty bottle after responding to reported public disorder on Kroo Town Road. Defense counsel challenged the account, highlighting that authorities produced no video or photographic evidence placing the accused at the scene.
The testimony came as 11 individuals appeared before Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah at Pademba Road Court No. 1 in connection with the outbreak of disorder.
DPC 15051 Mohamed Konneh, attached to the Central Police Station, testified that a joint police team led by ASP Jose K. Williams dispatched to the scene around 4:00 p.m. on September 13, 2026, following reports of protest-related misconduct.
Upon arrival, officers encountered a group behaving disorderly. Konneh alleged that individuals in the crowd gathered sticks, stones, and bottles, which they began hurling at responding officers.
According to the witness, officers apprehended the first defendant, Foday Kargbo, with a flat iron; the second defendant, Daniel Morrah, with a locally made cutlass; and the third defendant, Alusine Bah, with an empty stout bottle.
Konneh further testified that all three men were cautioned and questioned. Their statements were recorded in English from Krio, read back and explained to them, and subsequently endorsed with their right thumbprints.
The statements were tendered as exhibits, and the alleged recovered items remain in police custody, he testified.
During cross-examination, defense counsel pressed Konneh on whether police possessed video or photographic evidence demonstrating the defendants' presence at the scene. Konneh confirmed that no such recordings existed but rejected assertions that the men were arrested indiscriminately without proof of involvement.
Konneh stated he visited the location personally and observed broken bottles and wooden sticks scattered across the area. Defense counsel asserted during questioning that Bah works as a blacksmith and that another defendant is his apprentice.
The 11 defendants — identified as Foday Kargbo, Daniel Morrah, Alusine Bah, Ibrahim Bangura, Ibrahim Mansaray, Mohamed Sesay, Musa Kamara, Byron Browne, a second Mohamed Sesay, Patrick Swarray, and Bannister Samba — face four counts: carrying offensive weapons without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, throwing missiles, riotous conduct, and disorderly behavior. All defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges stemming from the September 13 incident on Kroo Town Road and surrounding areas.
The court also addressed a submission by defense counsel I.F. Sawaneh contending that the tenth defendant was 13 years old and below the age of criminal responsibility. The prosecution countered that no documentation or evidence was offered to support the assertion. Magistrate Jah dismissed the application due to lack of substantiating evidence and ruled that the trial proceed.
All defendants were remanded to the Male Correctional Centre, and the matter was adjourned to October 12, 2026.
Comments