February 23, 2025
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On Thursday, February 20, the Court of Appeal issued a bench warrant for the arrest of appellant Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray. The order was issued by the presiding Justice, John Bosco Allieu, after the appellant, his sureties, and lawyers failed to appear in court.

However, this judgement has raised debate over whether it is politically motivated.

The appellant, Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray is a former presidential aspirant for the Alliance Democratic Party (ADP) duringΒ  the 2018 general elections.

In 2021, Mansaray was tried and convicted for sexual offenses involving minor.

Following his conviction, Mansaray and his legal representatives appealed against his sentence.

During the period of serving his sentence, the court granted the accused bail after battling health issues for a long time.

On Thursday, February 13, the Court of Appeal issued a notice about Kamarainba’s appeal hearing slated for February 20, 2025,Β  but failed to make an appearance.

For failing to appear in court either by himself, his legal representation, or sureties, the lead prosecutor AJM Bockarie argued that the accused has acted contrary to the law.

In this regard, the prosecution made an application for a bench warrant of arrest of the accused and his sureties as stipulated in Rule 53, sub-rules 5 and 6 of the Court.The presiding judge granted the prosecution’s request.

This order prompted Kamarainba’s team to publish on his official social media handles, stating that the government is targeting him for exposing the government’s alleged connection to drug baron Jos Liejdekkers.

It reads, “They’re coming after me so they can continue their cocaine trade and use Sierra Leone as a hub. I just happen to be standing in their way.”

Whilst on bail, Kamarainba, who has proclaimed himself as a whistleblower, has been very vocal about recent drug-related allegations involving government officials.

In response, the official spokesperson of Sierra Leone’s judiciary, Moses Kamara, said the court is not trying Kamarainba because of his political affiliation or anything in that regard. He said during an interview with Liberty Online TV.Β 

He states β€œThe Court does not try politicians; the court tries individuals who have been accused of certain wrongdoings or crimes”.

The Judiciary Spokesperson further provides insight into Kamarainba’s warrant of arrest as issued by the Court of Appeal.

β€œThe court has a structure wherein even if you are not satisfied with your conviction or sentence, there are various layers of appellate structure of the court. In Kamarainba’s case, he was sentenced at the High Court and appealed to the Court of Appeal because he was dissatisfied with his sentence. Three judges were assigned to his appeal as per procedure. Based on the notice issued on Thursday, February 17th, the appeal hearing between the State and Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray came up on Thursday, February 20. At the hearing, the judges were there, the state council and the state prosecution were all present, but the accused, his lawyers, and sureties were absent.”

He disclosed that the accused and sureties were issued a bench warrant of arrest for not showing up at the hearing.

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