Sixty-two accused persons have been remanded following their appearance before Magistrate Hadiru Daboh of Court No. 1 in the Kenema Judicial District in connection with disturbances reportedly involving a Paramount Chief in Pendembu on 16 and 17 October 2026.

The accused persons appeared in two separate criminal matters arising from the incidents, with charges ranging from housebreaking and larceny to malicious damage and riotous conduct.

In the first matter, 17 defendants were charged on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, with housebreaking and larceny, contrary to Section 26(1) of the Larceny Act of 1916, and malicious damage, contrary to Section 51 of the Malicious Damage Act of 1861.

The charges relate to alleged unlawful activities during the disturbances, although specific details concerning the properties reportedly affected and the circumstances surrounding the alleged offences were not provided.

Magistrate Hadiru Daboh ordered that the 17 defendants be remanded pending committal proceedings, during which the court will consider whether the prosecution has presented sufficient evidence to warrant sending the matter to the High Court for trial.

In the second matter, 45 defendants appeared before the same Magistrate on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, charged with riotous conduct, contrary to Section 12(1) of the Public Order Act of 1965.

Magistrate Hadiru Daboh similarly ordered their remand, with the second case scheduled to proceed through summary proceedings before the Magistrate's Court.

Both matters are being prosecuted by S.I. Davies and S.I. Watta Bakarr, while the defendants are represented by Defence Counsel, S. B. E. Sesay, Esq.

The proceedings represent a significant legal development following the reported disturbances in Pendembu, which have brought questions of public order, property protection and respect for lawful authority into focus.

The separate charges also reflect the different legal issues arising from the incidents, with the prosecution expected to establish the allegations against each defendant through evidence presented before the court.

As proceedings continue, the accused persons remain entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a competent court of law.

The cases remain before the Kenema Magistrate's Court, with further proceedings expected to determine the next stages of the respective matters. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/65746