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The Legal Aid Board (LAB) provided legal representation for 57 accused persons during the May Criminal Session of the High Court, which concluded on Monday, May 19, 2025, at Freetown High Court No. 1.
The proceedings were overseen by Justice Augustin K. Musa.
The individuals represented faced a range of charges, including conspiracy to defraud, murder, larceny in a dwelling house, wounding with intent, robbery, robbery with aggravation, assault with intent to rob, shop breaking and larceny, larceny from a person, and fraudulent conversion.
Out of the 57 accused persons, 23 pleaded guilty to their charges and received various prison sentences. Additionally, three individuals were granted bail, one was cautioned and discharged, and another was sentenced based on time already served.
Legal Aid Counsel Cecilia Tucker, Cyril Taylor-Younge, Mustapha Karim Dauda, and Bankole C.E Morgan represented the beneficiaries in Freetown.
In separate developments, the Legal Aid Board’s resident lawyers in other districts also achieved significant outcomes. On Wednesday, May 21, 2025, Counsel Alpha O. Kamara in Kono District and Counsel Jack John Harris in Bo District secured the discharge of a total of 14 accused persons. Eleven individuals were released by Magistrate Joseph Tobby at the Sefadu Magistrate Court in Kono, while the remaining three were discharged by Justice Bans Kamara of the Bo High Court.
Ms. Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanciles, Executive Director of the Legal Aid Board, welcomed the releases and commended the Board’s lawyers for their continued dedication. She affirmed the Board’s commitment to supporting the judiciary’s criminal calendar. Ms. Carlton-Hanciles also extended gratitude to Chief Justice Komba Kamanda for attending the event commemorating the Board’s tenth anniversary and thanked the Judiciary for its efforts in releasing innocent inmates.
