FULL STORY: Ernest Bai Koroma granted medical leave
By Hafsatu Bangura
Lawyers of the former President, Ernest Bai Koroma have secured him bail and medical leave. Justice Samuel Taylor who was the presiding judge at the high court on the matter ordered that the former President be granted bail and taken to Nigeria for medical leave.
According to Justice Taylor, the former President should be taken to Nigeria for medical treatment and the leave will last for 90 days. However, this order was reduced to 49 days by Magistrate Santigie Bangura at the Magistrate Court, after the Prosecution raised concern about how long the duration is.
The 70 year old is expected back in court to face four count of Treason charges on the 6th of March this year.
Koroma himself did not appear in court after days of speculation on his health condition.
The High Court proceeding to secure his release took a considerably long time and later lawyers from both the prosecution and the defense showed up to the Magistrate Court at Pademba Road, where Magistrate Bangura is hearing the prosecution’s case to see if it is strong enough to proceed to a trial.
After hours of close door arguments, all sides finally came in the court room where issues regarding the case were raised by both defense and prosecution sides.
Prosecution Lawyer, A. G M Bockarie opposed the medical leave application saying that he doesn’t it want the accused to use it as a way to escape trial.
“We do not want the bail to be granted to the accused, so he will not use it as an excuse to jump trial. As the trial is a fair and just one and must be dealt with accordingly,”
Lead Defense Counsel for the former president, Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara said the accused is a stand-up citizen and has always made himself available.
“The accused has always availed himself to the law and he will not take bail as an excuse not to attend court proceeding. We have an order from the high court on his bail application to which the said and notion was granted by the high court,” Lawyer JFK said.
Immediately after, Lawyer JFK served the Magistrate and the prosecution the bail order, medical leave and the medical report to back his submission.
Magistrate Bangura then responded by saying: “I have taken judicial notice of the court order. We wish the accused a speedy recovery. For us to proceed with this case, we admonish for a speedy trial and for all to be mindful of how the report is done,”
The All Peoples Congress leadership; Chairman Minkailu Mansaray and Osman Yansaneh are the sureties. The matter was adjourned to March 6th, 2024.
