At Court Martial: Prosecution Witness Admits Making Mistake on Accused’s Statement

By Feima Sesay

The 14th Prosecution witness Sergeant Michael Sankoh has yesterday admitted before the Court Martial Judge Advocate Mark Ngegba and Board Members that he made a mistake on the statement of the first accused, Staff Sergeant Alhaji Koroma.

The witness said so to the court, during cross examination by Lawyer Ibrahim Bah from Legal Aid Board, representing the first accused among other accused persons.
The witness said he has been an investigator for over 10-year and was part of the investigating process in relation to the first accused person, whom had earlier pleaded guilty to few of the charges.

The witness established to the court that he didn’t recall the exact date the first accused was apprehended but as an investigator, he took statement from him on the 28th and 29th November 2023.

After being asked by Lawyer Bangura, if he made a mistake on the statement of the first accused, the witness was quick to answer in the affirmative.

But the particular mistake was not highlighted whether is in relation to the date or something else.

In another development, the 16th accused person told the court about his present condition.
According to him, he does not have any relative in Freetown as he came all the way from Kamakwie.

Therefore, he has nobody to turn to as his suffering from poor health on a daily basis intensifies.
He also told the court that his salary has not been forthcoming, which has made the situation unbearable for him.

His Lawyer also called on the attention of the Judge Advocate to give the necessary orders especially on the issues of his welfare and health condition.

While responding to those issues, one of the lawyers for the State, Colonel M.B.Kamara confirmed that the accused’s wife is in Tambakha, whom they would try to organise a visit for.

In relation to the accused’s welfare, the prosecution said that one would be investigated, as the other accused are now receiving theirs after same was raised by them.
Lawyer Koffie also cross examined the witness on behalf of the 16th accused, followed by other Lawyers.