By Mamajah Jalloh
Freetown, Sierra Leone – On Wednesday, 20th November 2024, Ali Jaffal, Abdul Jaffal, Abdallah Jaffal, Mohamed Jaffal, Abass Antar, Naif Antar, and Hassan Jaffal made their eighth appearance before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Pademba Road Court No.2. The seven Lebanese nationals are facing charges related to the wounding of Adam Hamdan.
The accused individuals stand trial on multiple counts, including wounding, assault, affray, throwing missiles, and disorderly behavior. According to the indictment, on Saturday, 6th April 2024, at the Young Sports Club (YSC) facility on Wilkinson Road in Freetown, the accused allegedly maliciously wounded Adam Hamdan and Mohamed Aroune. The charge further states that the accused assaulted both men and were involved in a violent altercation that caused public fear. They are also accused of throwing stones and sticks and engaging in disorderly conduct.
The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges during their first appearance in court.
In the latest proceedings, the State prosecutor, Yusuf Isaac Sesay Esq., called the ninth prosecution witness, Abass Kazam, a diplomat and businessman. Kazam, who works as a consultant for Guinea-Bissau to Sierra Leone, recognized all the accused persons. He testified that on 5th April 2024, he was informed by his friend Hassan, who was at YSC, that the second accused, Mohamed Jaffal, had been involved in a fight at the facility.
Kazam explained that after receiving the call, he went to the YSC, where he found a chaotic scene with people running around. He entered the complex and went to the basketball field, where he witnessed no fighting. As he was leaving, police officers, including the LUC from Lumley, Mohamed Turay, arrived and closed the gate. Kazam pleaded with the officers to allow women and children to leave, and his request was granted.
The police then asked those involved in the fight to surrender, leading to the detention of the first, second, third, fourth, and seventh accused. Kazam also testified that the LUC inquired about the fifth and sixth accused, who were later brought to the officers. During this time, an OSD officer presented a pistol, though Kazam was unsure of its origin. Kazam handed over the weapon to the LUC, and all the accused were escorted to the Lumley Police Station, where statements were taken.
Magistrate Bangura adjourned the matter to 27th November 2024 for further proceedings, with the accused persons continuing on bail.
