By Mamajah Jalloh
Freetown, Sierra Leone – Abdulai Kamara, a 20-year-old bike rider, was sentenced to 12 months in prison on Monday, 18th November 2024, after he pleaded guilty to escaping from lawful police custody. He appeared before Magistrate Sahr Kekura at Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown, where he was charged under section 23 of the Criminal Procedure Act 179 of the laws of Sierra Leone.
According to the particulars of the offence, on 1st June 2024, at Congo Cross Police Station in the Western Area, Kamara, who was a charged prisoner awaiting trial, escaped from police custody.
When the charge was read and explained, the accused man admitted to the offence. Prosecutor Detective Police Constable 17649 Kargbo B confirmed that there were no previous charge records against Kamara, marking this his first offence.
In his plea for mitigation, Kamara explained that while in police custody, all the officers left him unattended in their office. Taking advantage of the situation, a police officer gave him money to buy water, which he used as an opportunity to escape.
Magistrate Kekura, taking into account the plea for mercy and the fact that Kamara had not wasted the court’s time, sentenced him to twelve months in the Male Correctional Facility in Freetown.
