September 6, 2021
By: Audrey John
Following the ongoing preliminary investigation, third prosecution witness on the alleged arms and ammunitions and aiding and abetting case; a staff from Nation Revenue Authority, Mohamed Sannoh (witness) who had earlier testified was cross examined by Emmanuel Teddy Koroma Esq.
The witness told the court that he is the head off the Anti-smuggling unit.
He was also asked how many years he had worked at the port the witness responded three years and he also asked the witness that how many years he has served as head of the Anti-smuggling unit the witness said one year six months .
Lawyer Koroma asked the witness how many years had he been acquainted with the work going around his department especially the clearing and forwarding unit; the witness said few years.
Counsel put to the witness that if he can identify a delivery order the witness said yes he can identify same.
Lawyer Koroma asked the witness while you are giving your testimony you made mention of the consignee the witness response that yes it was one Aruna Rahim lawyer Koroma also referred him to exhibit A 1 the witness responded it was Aruna Rahim.
Counsel put to the witness that from the totality of the documents tendered did you see the first accused name the witness said no.
Counsel also said you told the court that on the 2nd 2021 July you received call from one Foday Fornah he said yes
Lawyer Koroma said can you give an approximate of the distance between you and Foday Fornah you mentioned. Witness said 18 feet approximately.
Counsel also asked the witness that if there were people with Foday Fofanah when you saw him the witness said yes there were two people unknown to him.
Lawyer Koroma asked the witness that if Foday discussed any information about what he discovered the witness answer yes he did
Counsel put to the witness that while he was giving his testimony he made mentioned of one plastic bag that you saw in the pathfinder jeep the witness said yes he did.
lawyer Koroma asked the witness that if he was the one who opened the said plastic, the witness said no the Plastic was already opened counsel ask the witness if he can tell the content of the plastic the witness said he saw suspected arms and ammunitions.
Lawyer Koroma said to the witness that up to the time you made the discovery Mr Massoquio was not at the scene the witness said Mr Massoquio was at the scene
lawyer Koroma said to him did you bring out the content at that time the witness said no he did not, counsel asked him where exactly did you ascertained the content of that said plastic the witness said in Mr Massoquio office.
Lawyer Koroma ask the witness that if the plastic was showed to anybody and who were the people present at the scene.
The witness said Mohamed Kabbah Massaquoi ASP Isatu Kargbo Victor Muana from ports, the Agent was there with the OSD that came with them and four other staff assigned to Mr Massoquio`s office were also present.
Lawyer Koroma asked him what he saw while they were at Mr Massoquio`s office the witness said He saw seven suspected pistols, twelve magazine, one hundred suspected live bullets.
Lawyer Koroma ask the witness if was that day he ever saw a pistol he said no and lawyer Koroma said if the witness know what constitutes a pistol the witness said no lawyer Koroma said he is suggesting that what you saw is an component and accessories the witness said he cannot tell
Lawyer Koroma asked him if it’s to his knowledge that there’s a scanning processing at the port of all container and all vehicles that came into the port the witness said yes
lawyer Koroma said and that vehicle in question was scanned, the witness said no it was the container and counsel said if he is correct to say that the said container went through the scanning process the witness said yes counsel said that any container that goes through the scanning process has been verified and this container in question goes through that process the witness answered yes.
Lawyer Koroma said it’s to your knowledge that those arms and ammunitions were being assembly the witness said it’s not to his knowledge.
Lawyer Koroma put to the witness that he made mentioned of Victor Muna that he is present when they discovered the said items and Mr Muana met you at Mr mossoquio`s office the witness said during the time when he saw the alleged items immediately he called Mr Muana for them to meet at Mr Massoquio office he also asked the witness that who was in possession of the arms and ammunitions the witness said Mr Lebbie.
lawyer Koroma asked him who did the counting of the said items the witness said when the items has been laid out on the floor at Mr Massoquio`s office, a police officer was counting the said items.
Lawyer Koroma said while you were in the commissioner`s office did the first accused came, the witness said yes lawyer Koroma said in your testimony you said the first accused take ownership of the items did they put that in writing the witness said he did not know and also lawyer Koroma put to the witness that the first accused denied the allegations the witness said no he did not.
Magistrate Kekura said the two defense lead counsels Lansana Dumbuya and Merlon Nicloe are not in court for them to finish the cross examination Yusuf Isaac Sesay objected that there are counsels representing the third accused person so they have to cross examine.
Magistrate Kekura said counsel should tell counsel that they are taking a date.
Matter was adjourned to the 6th September 2021.