By Mariama Hamadi
Two out of the six press releases tendered in
court, together with other exhibits found in the premises of Dr. Olayinka
Sylvia Blyden and Muckson Sesay are suspected to be missing.
The missing press releases were picked up by the
presiding Magistrate, Hannah Bonnie when Prosecution Witness number three
(PW3), Zainab Isatu Kamara was identifying the exhibits.
Shortly after the matter was mentioned yesterday
for hearing, State Counsel Y.I Sesay docked his third Prosecution Witness.
Explaining in her Examination in Chief,
Detective Police Constable Isatu Kamara attached to the major incident office,
at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarter, said on the 22nd
of May, 2020, she was on duty when Detective Superintendent Mohamed Kuruba
Alieu handed over to her items which included laptops, mobile phones, documents
and the photo of the former President of Sierra Leone, Ernest Bai Koroma.
She said upon receiving the items, she prepared
a list and later handed it over the items to the Exhibit Clerk at the CID,
Detective Sergeant 1516 Conteh A for safe keeping.
PW3 was about to identify the exhibits serially
when the Bench noticed that two out of six the press releases tendered in court
as exhibits were missing.
In that light, the Bench stood the matter down
in order for the Clerk to go in search of the remaining press releases.
Few minutes after the stand-down when the Bench
questioned the Clerk as to whether she has seen the missing press releases, she
responded on the negative.
Magistrate Bonnie in response intimated the
defence that the Register who is responsible of court exhibits has been
transferred to the Ross Road Court.
She said she will instruct the lady to come and
look for the press releases and present them in court.
In continuation, State Counsel Y. I Sesay
sought the Bench leave for a long
adjourned date on the grounds of business engagement.
Responding to the State Counsel, Counsel for 1st
accused Charles Francis Margai said he is not averse to a date, but that he is
looking forward for State Counsel to do the needful.
However, the matter was adjourned to the 14th
of September 2020.
