Former President Ernest Bai Koroma’s treason trial took a significant turn as proceedings were conducted behind closed doors, with only state prosecutors and defence lawyers present.
Prior to the closed-door session, Magistrate Santigie Bangura issued orders for Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara, the lead defence lawyer for former President Koroma, as well as Minkailu Mansaray and Osman Foday Yansaneh, who serve as sureties for the former president, to attend.
Magistrate Bangura also instructed the defence to provide a comprehensive medical report on the former president to the court.
This directive followed an observation by Principal State Prosecutor Ahmed Bockarie, who noted the former president’s absence in court despite being granted bail and an adjournment in January 2024.
In response, Kamara and Yansaneh explained to the court that they faced challenges in obtaining Koroma’s medical report before the specified date but assured that they would do so for the next adjourned date.
The defence team and sureties patiently awaited the arrival of the state prosecutors, who entered the courtroom after a thirty-minute delay. They proceeded directly to Magistrate Bangura’s chambers, followed by the defence, leaving the public and media in the courtroom.
After approximately twenty minutes, Kamara, his legal team, and the sureties departed from Magistrate Bangura’s chamber. Subsequently, the Attorney General, Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), and other state prosecutors, including Bockarie, also left the magistrate’s office.
Details of the closed-door hearing and the next adjourned date are yet to be disclosed by both parties.
