January 8, 2019
By Regina Pratt
Zuliatu Cooper, former deputy Minister of Health
Former Minister of Health and Sanitation, Zulaitu Cooper, Hon. David Kallon and twelve others were yesterday granted Le100 million bail each on their second appearance before Magistrate Santigie Bangura.
The thirteen accused persons were before the court on four count charges ranging from riotous conduct, disorderly behaviour, throwing of missiles, to threatening languages contrary to Public Order Act of 1965.
Lead defence lawyer, Joseph F. Kamara, told the court that they were in court last Wednesda, but the Bench refused to put his clients on bail, stating that the accused persons have spent seven days in detention.
Lawyer Kamara also said the prosecution has no intention to progress with the matter as they have sat twice without summoning a single witness.
“We stand for justice for these people because their offences are bailable and misdemeanour,” he said.
State Counsel, Lawyer A.B. Koroma, opposed to bail, urging the Bench to remand the accused persons until the next adjourned date during which they would bring their witnesses.
But the magistrate granted all the 14 accused persons bail in the sum of one hundred million Leones, with two sureties each and ordered that the bail should be approved by the Master and Registrar.
The accused persons, Zuliatu Cooper, Borbor Yeanie Koroma, Momodu Conteh,Kadie Howard, Martha Dumbuya, Abu Bakarr Koroma, Alusine Jalloh,Gbessay Santigie Kargbo, Alie Sillah,Blessing Jeneba Bangura, Memunatu Bangura, Umu Barrie, Dauda Kallon and Fatmata Sesay have pleaded not guilty to the offences.
The matter has been adjourned to Monday,January 14th, 20189