By Hassan Gbassay Koroma
Hawa Madiana Hunt’s trial has been converted from summary to preliminary Investigations (PI) and the matter is expected to be sent to the High Court after the PI is completed by the Magistrate Court.
She will not be convict and sentenced by the Magistrate court, but rather by the High Court where the matter will be committed.
Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Court No. 2 informed the defence team last Friday about the amendment that has been done on the trial.
He said the matter was before him for a summary trial, but that an amendment was done that allowed him to only conduct PI and later commit the matter to the High Court should the accused has a case to answer.
He highlighted that Section 17 of the Cyber Security and Crime Act 2021 supports for such cases to be tried by the High Court.
Magistrate Bangura ordered the defence team to discountenance the no cases submission they had already served to the court and do an amendment that fit PI and not for summary trail.
Hawa Hunt’s legal team led by Rashid Dumbuya, renewed their bail application on the grounds that the offenses are bailable.
He said for the fact that the state has closed their case and that keeping their client in custody seemed she is being persecuted instead of being prosecuted.
Dumbuya noted that the trail is being observed by people in other countries, especially so when the accused has dual citizenship and that the trail can be used to assess the justice system in the country.
The State led by Yusuf Isaac Sesay opposed to bail, basing their objection on the serious nature of the charges and evidence against the accused.
He submitted that Sierra Leone, like any other country, is governed by laws, and when someone goes against those laws, the person should be tried irrespective of dual citizenship.
Magistrate Bangura said the court has rules of procedure to abide by and not the opinion of people.
He denied the accused person bail on the grounds that she is flight risk.
The trial continues on Monday.
