IN THE COURTROOM Five Prosecutors Threatened With Disciplinary Action as Conspiracy Exposed at Magistrate Court In Bo Posted by on May 5, 2008, 01:57

In last week’s publication of the standard times newspaper, attempt was made by the editorial staff to uncover a grand conspiracy plan orchestrated by the State Counsel, Mr. Monfred Momoh Sesay in collaboration with Chief Kamanda Bongay and other chiefs to overturn the decision of the acting Chief Justice, Madam Humu Tejan Jalloh to get Magistrate Adrian Fischer withdrawn from Bo District.

The reason, according to documentary evidence published in that edition was because in the estimation of the chiefs Magistrate Fischer showed disrespect to one their kiths and kin, speaker Margao who pleaded guilty in a case of malicious damage and was about to be sentenced to prison by the Magistrate.

To demonstrate his anger, Paramount Chief Bongay wrote a letter to the Provincial Secretary, Southern Province, reporting Magistrate Adrian Fischer and further demanded that he should be withdrawn immediately. Supporting the action of Chief Bongay and his chiefs was the State Counsel assigned to the Bo District, Mr. Monfred Momoh Sesay, who in a letter dated 22^nd April, 08 demanded that Police prosecutors working at the Magistrate court in Bo with Adrian Fischer should pack their bags and return to Police Central Division in Freetown, …failing which, disciplinary action would be taken against them and may charge them with personation (see document in page..)

Following, Mr .Sesay,s letter, the five police prosecutors, namely Sgt. Conteh, DM, Sgt. Bangura, A.S, P.C. Nugbama.S, P.C. Sesay, M.L and G.Sgt. Mansaray who were officially transferred to Bo on 16^th April,08 by AIG Chris Charlie(personnel Welfare) were immediately recalled on the 29^th April, 08 with threat of stringent disciplinary action including struck off strength. The order…reads “P.17/20 of 29/4/08...Ref. transfer order P.17/20 of 16/4/08. The transfers of the undermentioned personnel are hereby cancelled with immediate effect. Affected personnel must revert to their original postings or face stringent disciplinary action including struck off strength…”

It is reported that the back and forth orders from the Sierra Leone Police Headquarters has left the Magistrate Court in Bo handicapped of police prosecutors with the exception of officer Konneh, who sources say is floating around and trying to attach himself to the court.

It would be recalled that since the Presidential run off election to date the city of Bo has become one of the trouble spots in the country including Kono, another notorious district in terms of lawlessness.

Chief Kamanda Bongay, reportedly; the alleged master planner of the recent protest against the Magistrate by the various section chiefs to the Provincial Secretary and architect of the initial letter dated 29^th April, 08 is reportedly denying any involvement when he visited the office of the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Brima Acha Kamara on Saturday 3^rd April, 08.

Paramount Chief Bongay’s letter stated thus, “As traditional rulers we deserve respect and a degree of special treatment in public even when we are not or go wrong…”

It is not known what action, the acting Chief Justice, Madam Humu Tejan Jalloh, whose servant; working on her instruction has adopted, now that the entire conspiracy has come to light and how her wisdom to transfer Magistrate Fischer to Bo has been challenged.

When Standard Times Bo Correspondent Pat Kawa, who was present at the meeting when the Chiefs resolved to kick the Magistrate out of the jurisdiction contacted Mr. Fischer for comment and whether or not he was prepared to quit the district. “Go and obtain permission from my boss in Freetown, the Chief Justice before I talk to you” He remarked, and added “I was sent here to work and not to talk to reporters”

Several reasons have been suggested by some members of the general public as to why the Chiefs in collaboration with the State Counsel want Magistrate Fischer out of Bo. Some of the reasons hinge on politics, while others remain mere speculations. Up to press time, it is reported the court is starved of police prosecutors and because of that no sitting in the Magistrate Court will take place today.