October 14, 2015 By Hawa Amara
Eight police officers who are alleged by the state to have caused the death of one Francis Haffner while in detention were again denied bail yesterday and remanded at the male and female correctional centres in Freetown.
Police officers John Bai Sankoh, Momoh Mahmoud Bangura, Gibril Bangura, John Karimu, Issa Sankoh, Alpha Conteh, Mohamed Sahid Kamara and Mary Naloh were arraigned at the Freetown Magistrates’ Court No.1 presided over by Magistrate Komba Kamanda on one count of manslaughter contrary to law.
But their defence counsel, Sahid M. Sesay Esq., has been unable to secure their release on bail despite several applications.
The prosecution says the victim was arrested on Friday, May 29 at a place called Common Ground, off Robert Street, where he used to reside.
Fifth prosecution witness, Nimneh Dixon, told the court that he witnessed a police raid of Common Ground on 29 May and identified the eight accused, Mary Naloh, as the police officer who arrested the deceased, but was later joined by her colleagues who forcefully dragged the deceased into a waiting police vehicle.
The witness said the deceased repeatedly asked the police officers what offence he had committed to warrant his manhandling.
The matter was adjourned to 20 October.