Sierra Leone Telegraph: 15 October 2022:
Mayor of Freetown Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, yesterday Friday, 14th October 2022, appeared at the magistrate court in Lungi, just distance away from the country’s international airport where she was accused by police of disorderly behaviour and obstruction of officers trying to arrest elected opposition councillor Sheku Turay, who was wanted for investigation into the riots that took place in Freetown on the 10th of August 2022.
Mayor Aki-Sawyerr has been charged with two counts of obstruction of police duty contrary to Section 39 of the Police Act, and disorderly behaviour. According to reports, the prosecution did not present any witness yesterday.
The case has been transferred to a court in mainland Freetown where the trial will continue on 21st of October 2022.
She was granted bail by magistrate Shaka Kamara in her own recognition, with bail set at 100 million New Leones, and required to hand over her National ID Card and Passport to the Registrar of Courts.
Photo: Mayor Aki-Sawyerr and battery of lawyers travelling in a boat to the Magistrate Court in Lungi yesterday. Photo Credit: SierraEye).
I stand for the Green, White, and Blue for a better world. As a patriotic youth, I do not want, what has happened during the eleven years of baseless civil war to repeat anymore. Anyone trying to persuade youths of our beloved nation to engage in violent activities should face the full force of the law. My people living in rural communities are tired of abject poverty and suppression.
The image of Mayor Akin Swayer standing in a cage been arraigned in a court room next to the Lungi International airport reminds us how our country have stooped so low we can’t sink any lower than this . Is this the image or a calling card for tourist and foreign investors to visit Sierra Leone Bio style ?Frisrtly she should not be there in the first place, she have her work to do,never mind facing charges of obstruction of the work of the Sierra Leone police . which has once again proven not only how hypocritical their leadership are, about the way they apply the business of selective justice when it’s suits there agenda , but it goes to heart of why our country’s police service is not fit for purpose. Bio’s policies of picking a fight with Krio female leaders or public servants in Sierra Leone is well documented. This kangaroo court type of selective justice for his SLPP supporters consumption will not wash with the wider Sierra Leonean public .We know who the real criminals are.The real criminals that are endagering the security of Sierra Leone are Bio and his henchmen that continue to chip away the pillars of the peace agreement we all signed up to as a nation after the RUF civil wars .Foday Sankoh and his henchmen didn’t just woke up one morning in the Lybian desert and decides to invade Sierra Leone , with the aim of overthrowing the corrupt and iept Momoh government , in which thousands of lives were lost , the War happened as a results of similar policies being pursued by Bio today , by deflecting his ineptness , to conduct this sort of Stalin like show trials .All right thinking Sierra Leoneans that belief in UNITY , PEACE AND JUSTICE should roundly condemned Bio and his government .His supporters and people close to him have carried out or made outrageous statements , that amounts to incitement and public order offences , but unfortunately the police and criminal justice system have not taken actions or even gave them a caution .I think is about time our international partners read the riot act to Boi and his supporters .The Mayor have an important work to do at Freetown city hall , than spends months making court appearances to the detriment of her work to improve the lives of ordinary people .The irony of it all , she didn’t ask her supporters to come out and demonstrate in her favor .She is not an advocate of violence however they try to paint her in the public conscience .The real thugsish elements can be found in Bio’s circles.