State v Hon. Mr Justice Paul v Three Others (MIS 1 of 2014) [2014] SLSC 4 (10 June 2014)

I ■ 2^ 1 . MIS. 1/2014 2014 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF SIERRA LEONE IN THE MATTER OF A RULING IN THE CASE - THE STATE V. DR. MAGNUS KEN GBORIE. DR. EDWARD MAGBITY & LANSANA S.M. ROBERTS. DELIVERED ON 10™ JANUARY. 2014. OVERRULING THE NO CASE SUBMISSION AND REFUSING TO REFER THE RULING PURSUANT TO SECTION 68 OF ACT NQ.31 OF 1965 (AS AMENDED) FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF THE COURT OF APPEAL AND IN THE MATTER OF AN APPLICATION FOR JUDICIAL REVIEW PURSUANT TO ORDER 53 OF THE SUPREME COURT PRACTICE 1999 AND ORDER 52 OF THE HIGH COURT RULES C.I. NO.8 OF 2007 AND IN THE MATER OF AN APPLICATION BY LANSANA S.M. ROBERTS THE 3r d ACCUSED/APPLICANT HEREIN SEEKING THE ORDERS OF CERTIORARI. MANDAMUS AND PROHIBITION AND OTHER CONSEQUENTIAL ORDERS AND DIRECTIONS AND IN THE MATTER OF AN APPLICATION FOR THE ABOVE ORDERS PURSUANT TO SECTION 125 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SIERRA LEONE ACT NO.6 OF 1991 & SECTION 23(1)(2)(4) & (7) OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SIERRA LEONE ACT NO.6 OF 1991 AND IN THE MATTER OF THE SUPREME COURT RULES PUBLIC NOTICE NO.l OF 1982 (NOW CONSTITUTIONAL INSTRUMENT NO.l OF 1982) RULES 89-98 INCLUSIVE 1 BETWEEN: THE STATE RESPONDENTVS.HON. MR. JUSTICE M.A. PAUL J. EX PARTE DR. MAGNUS KEN GBORIE,DR. EDWARD MAGBITY &LANSANA S.M. ROBERTS (ACCUSED/APPLICANT) COR V M : HON. JUSTICE P.O. HAMILTON J.S.C. HON. JUSTICE V.A.D. WRIGHT J.S.C. HON. JUSTICE E.E. ROBERTS J.A. COUNSEL: C.F. MARGAI Esq. FOR 3r d ACCUSED/ APPELLANT R.S. FYNN Esq., O.I.M.F. GEORGE Esq. AND MX KANY Esq. FOR STATE/RESPONDENT HON. JUSTICE P.O. HAMILTON - JSC. This is an application made to the Supreme Court for various orders to wit: (a) an Order for Certiorari (b)an Order o f Mandamus and (c) an Order of Prohibition on various questions for the Court’s consideration. rH Counsel for the 3 Accused/Appellant C.F. Margai Esq. did raise certain preliminary objection n relation to the present constitution of the Court in relation to Section 28(1) and (2), Section 23(1), (2), (4) and (7) o f the Constitution o f Sierra 2 Ruling Delivered on this 2014 2 f e Leone 1991 (Act No.6 o f 1991 which are under Chapter III o f the said Constitution and Section 28(6) (a) o f the said Constitution. Counsel then submitted that by virtue of Section 28(6)(a) o f the Constitution the Supreme Court should consist of five and not three Justices. Counsel for the State/Respondent did not contend to this objection raised by Counsel for the 3rd Accused/Appellant. Section 28(6) (a) o f the Constitution 1991 (Act No.6 o f 1991) provides: “ The Supreme Court- (a) Consisting o f not less than five Justices o f the Supreme Court shall consider every question referred to it under this chapter for a decision and having heard argument by or on behalf o f the parties by Counsel Considering that the question raised for determination appears to fall under Chapter III of the said Constitution the provision contained in Section 28(6)(a) applies and the Supreme Court should comprise of five and not three Justices. This objection raised by Counsel for 3rd Accused/Appellant is upheld. As regards the other objections raised by Counsel for 3r d Accused/Appellant this Court does not think it is necessary to consider them. HON. JUSTICE P.O. HAMILTON - JSC 3