By: Audrey Raymonda John
Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Ross Road Court No. 1 yesterday remanded the first accused Ibrahim Kebay, Yusuf Kamara and the third accused, Isatu Kamara at the Male and Female Correctional Centres on Pademba Road in Freetown for allegedly stealing 200 bags of parboil Indian and the third accused receiving 45 bags parboil the same rice knowing to have been stolen totaling one hundred and twenty seven thousand leones (NLe127,000) belonging to the complaint, Abdul Kebay.
The accused were arrested on 11th July 2023 by Detective Police Constable (DPC) 12144 Jalloh and arraigned before the court for the offences of conspiracy contrary to law, larceny and receiving stolen goods contrary to law.
It was alleged by Inspector General of Police (IGP) that Ibrahim Kebay and and Yusuf Kamara on 21st June 2023 at No. 57 Main Motor Road in Waterloo outskirts of Freetown, conspired with unknown persons and stole two hundred parboil Indian rice valued at NLe127 thousand leones belonging to Abdul Harman Kebay.
The charge sheet furthered that the third accused, Isatu Kamara on the same date and place in Freetown, received (54) Indian per boil rice valued at NLe29,250 from Yusuf Kamara knowing to have been stolen.
Defence Counsel A. K. Kamara representing the third accused applied for bail on behalf of his client assuring the bench that his client is a Sierra Leonean and that his client has reliable sureties willing and ready to enter into his cognizance.
Lawyer Kamara told the court his client with not interfere with the prosecution’s witness. He based his application by relying on section 79 ( 2) (3) and (3) of the Criminal Procedure Act No. 32 of 1965, adding that if bail grant to the accused, he will always avail himself in court as and when needed.
Mr Kamara humblely apologized to the bench for the third accused coming to court late and assured that he will never repeated such sort of behaviour. He vowed to admonished her.
Responding the police prosecutor Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Osman M. Bangura objected to bail though he didn’t served the defense an affidavit in opposing bail, but objected to bail due to the quantum of money involved.
In response, Magistrate Kekura said having heard the application, he denied the accused bail and remanded the accused at the Male and Female Correctional Centre on Pademba Road in Freetown.
The matter was adjourned to 20th 2023 for further hearing