Moinina Fofana Declared for APC….Says Prosecutor

The lead prosecutor Brenda J. Hollis, in the CDF war convict Moina Fofana matter has told the Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone that there are evidences to show that Monia declared for the All Peoples Congress (APC) Party in Makeni.

Brenda J Hollis made this statement on Friday 18^th March 2016 at the Commercial fast track court Government Wharf in Freetown she noted that war convict made this declaration during the APC Youth Conference in March in Makeni Northern Sierra Leone. Brenda noted that she is well aware of the educational background of the Moinina, stating the war convict does not need formal education to understand condition 1&2. She pointed out that failing to appear before his monitoring team is no strong excuse for the War convict.

After denying breaching the conditions at the preliminary hearing on the 16th March 2016, Moinina Fofana, admitted in court of violating the terms of his conditional early release by engaging in local politics when he attended the ruling All Peoples Congress (APC) party youths conference in the northern district headquarters town of Makeni in October 2015.

He confessed that he failed to report to his monitoring authorities due to a funeral ceremony he attended in Bonthe district and was constraints with vehicle to make his trip to his team. He also admitted of falsifying his appearance by pre-dating his presence.

Moinina Fofana explained that, he left Bo for Freetown to see his daughter and upon arrival he was invited to Makeni by his brother where he attended the youth conference. He noted however, that he thought joining local politics is by carrying a party card and never knew that attending a political party meeting would amount to participating in politics. He stressed that he is not a card carrier of any political party in the country.

He apologized to the prosecution, the court and all Sierra Leoneans who were affected by the war to forgive him.

Melron Nicole Wilson, lead defense Counsel pleading on behalf of his client stated that, Moinina Fofana is a farmer and fisherman by profession and has never had formal education in his life.

Melron told the Court that it is noticeable that Moinina did not understand the conditions that were attached to his early conditional release, adding that Moinina pleaded guilty on the charges put before him on the grounds that he does not want to waste the courts time.

 Melron further stated that Moinina has always behaving in a good manner which has amount to his conditional early release. He also pleaded that the court restores the conditions that was earlier given to his client.

Justice Vivian Solomon sitting as President of the Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone ordered that Moinina Fofana should not in any way attempt to influence anyone whose information has to do with the prosecution of the matter.

 Justice Solomon stated that the convicted war lord must not harm threaten, intimidated, coerce or otherwise interfere with individuals whose information is before the court. She stated that the Moinina should be reporting to monitoring authorities every Monday.

She advised that Moinina must not grant interview to the press and shall not discuss the proceedings of the trial to outsiders who are not associated with his defense or the Residual Court Registrar whilst the matter still ongoing. She added that Moinina must deviate from the attitude of signing his monitoring compliance in advance and must be physically present in Bo Town at all time.

Justice Solomon added that the convict must comply fully with his initial release and must reaffirm his understanding of the terms of his conditional early release which he appended his signature on the 10th February 2015.

Moinina Fofana was also directed to obtain written permission at all times before traveling out of Bo. In addition, the judge instructed the court Registrar to file a date for the next hearing and also ordered the Counsels on both sides to file any additional documents if they so wish to the court within 14 days starting from Friday March 18, 2016.

It could be recalled that Moinina Fofana was convicted for committing serious crimes against humanity involving children, women and men who were not involved in the war.