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Showing posts from February 17, 2016

The Legal Aid Board has advocated the released of over one hundred and sixty indigents from September 2015 to date.

The Legal Aid Board has advocated the released of over one hundred and sixty indigents from September 2015 to date. Yesterday, nine youths, including one physically challenged, who were held for different crimes, ranging from robbery with aggravation to sexual penetration, were released at various High Courts in Freetown. Ibrahim Bangura Today, two indigents were discharged at the High Court by Justice Konoyima. Ibrahim Bangura was charged burglary and larceny. He spent three years and four months on remand. presently sick and needs medical attention. Ibrahim Conteh Ibrahim Conteh was charged with wounding with intent, after being hit by a car and became unconscious, where other people who were present at the scene interrogated the driver and injured him. The driver rushed to the police station and reported, and this young man was arrested partially conscious of what was going on. And he also spent three years and fou...

Nine youths, including one physically challenged

Nine youths, including one physically challenged, who were held for different crimes, ranging from robbery with aggravation to sexual penetration, were released at various High Courts in Freetown. Three were released by Justice Fofanah, three by Justice Alusine Sesay, two by Justice Musu Kamara and one by Justice Alhaji Stevens at the Ross Road High Court. They were released as a result of applications for discharge for want of prosecution, made by Legal Aid Board Lawyers . By Derek Nat-George Head of Media and Public Relations Legal Aid Board Sierra Leone

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR

As a Lawyer who has practiced in Sierra Leone before joining the international tribunal, the Special Court for Sierra Leone, I have seen firsthand how accused persons had to endure countless adjournments and months on remand due to lack of legal advice and representation.

My experience working with the Sierra Leone Legal Aid Board since its establishment in May 2015 has broadened my understanding of the depth of the challenges plaguing the formal and traditional justice systems.

I have visited overcrowded prisons and police cells around the country. I have seen many accused persons literally abandoned in prison either because they cannot secure a bail or have not been with an indictment. Some have spent more time in remand than the maximum sentence for the crimes they are alleged to have committed. I have seen victims of domestic violence, rape and discrimination on the basis of gender resort to divine intervention because they cannot afford the cost of accessing justice.

I have seen powerful self-styled local lawyers run the show in the local/traditional courts and in the process abuse the rights of people and the Local Court Act 2011.

We have engaged and canvassed the views of agencies in the justice sector, Parliamentarians and non-governmental organizations. The interest in and expectations of the organization are heartwarming but also breathtaking.

This is what drives our commitment to deliver on our mandate to make justice accessible to those who have been left out because they are poor. For a start, we will deploy Paralegals in Police Stations in the capital and the 149 chiefdoms in the country to monitor Local Courts to ensure their activities are consistent with national laws and international human rights standards. Also, we will hire 100 Lawyers to provide free legal services to our clients.

This is without doubt a tall order considering the organization is new and the resources at its disposal are far from being adequate. We are convinced with support from the government, donors and well-wishers we can make a world of difference in the lives of ordinary people and in the process contribute to restoring much needed confidence in the justice system.