By Isatu Gbla, Freetown.
Magistrate Deen Tarawalie sitting at the Freetown Court No.1A yesterday slammed a stiff bail totalling two billion four hundred thousand leones on eight timber exporters arraigned before him for flouting a government ban on the export of timber.
Mohamed Kutubu Conteh, Nathaniel Decker, Abu Suma, Issa Mansaray, Brima Conteh, Oren Jonathan, Mohamed Dizzo Bangura and Mohamed Conteh were each granted bail for Le300 million with two sureties in like sums to be house owners in Freetown and the bail is to be approved by the Master and Registrar.
They face five counts of conspiracy to export goods without discharging all necessary obligation. According to the prosecution led by Chief Supt. of Police Philip Wellington, the accused on diverse dates between Saturday 1st December 2007 and Thursday March 27 this year and April 4th this year, were in possession of 16 containers suspected to be stuffed with timber logs and scrap metals. The items were found at the export section of the Queen Elizabeth II Quay ready to be exported in violation of the government ban on timber exportation.
Chief Supt. P.E Wellington had asked the Magistrate to refuse them bail on the grounds that they are likely to jump bail considering the seriousness of the offence. But the battery of defence lawyers consisting of Ajibola Manley-Spaine, Cecil Osho-Williams, C F Edwards and M.P Mamie argued for bail to be granted their respective clients which was upheld by the Magistrate before adjourning the matter to 9th May.
Meanwhile Gibrilla Kamara who described himself as a businessman was yesterday sent to prison as guest of the state for the next 18 months by Magistrate Bankole Shyllon of Freetown Court No.3 after pleading guilty to one count of fraudulent conversion. In April this year, he was entrusted with a baby cot costing Le170,000 for the purpose of sale by one Idrissa Bangura which he converted into his own use..
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