November 16, 2021
By Audrey John
28yrs Yatha Kamara, 56yrs Clifford Coker and 60yrs Austin Kuteh Made their first appearance before Magistrate Mark Ngegba of Pademba road court No.2 in Freetown on three court charges one count of Larceny and two count ranging from receiving stolen goods contrary to section 33 (1) of the Larceny Act 1916
According to the particulars of offence both accused persons on the 3rd November 2021 at No. 30 Benjamin Lane the western area in Freetown Stole three thousand nine hundred and sixty six inches Concrete Blocks Valued at fifty four million four hundred and ninty thousand Leones.
In count two and three the 2nd and 3rd accused persons received the same amount from the said complainant property of Abdul Kargbo
Pw1 Abdul Kargbo said he knew the 2nd and 3rd accused persons through the first accused person on the 3rd November 2021, the witness said he called the Caretaker that he is coming to the site and upon arrival he opened the store that was filled with cement block.
He later found out that there’s nothing in the store and he called the Caretaker, Abubakarr and asked for the blocks and the Caretaker told him to ask the first accused person.
The first accused person was not present at that moment he asked the Caretaker to search around for him and he was later found.
He later asked him about the blocks the first accused person accepted that he sold about four thousand blocks that was in the store.
He said he only removed thirty seven blocks and he took the accused person to New England Ville police station where the accused person pointed to the first and second accused persons that he sold the blocks to them.
Later the accused and the police officers went to Brookfields to the house of the 3rd accused person were the blocks were found inside his premises and to the 2nd accused person house at Dillet Street they saw contractors working at his house, the witness said the officers took pictures of the blocks and took one as exhibit
Statement was obtained from him and his witness
All the blocks were valued at fifty nine million six hundred ninty thousand Leones
During the cross examination by defense counsel A.B Moisa
He said the accused is not the only person that beat blocks in Freetown the witness respond and said yes, the blocks that was in the premise of the accused persons are similar with his, the witness said he disagreed.
Lawyer representing the accused person applied for bail on behalf of the accused person that they are Sierra Leoneans resident within this jurisdiction they has reliable sureties who are willing and ready to enter into recognizance on their behalf.
He made his application pursuant to section 79 Sub ( 2) and(3) of the Criminal procedure Act No.32 of 1965.
However Magistrate Ngegba granted the third accused person bail base on his condition in the sum of One hundred million Leones or two sureties in like sum surety must be employed and one must be above forty years old.
Sureties must produce utility bills to produce valid identity card depicting his/her addresses in Freetown and bail to be approved by the Deputy Acting Registrar.
Meanwhile the first accused person pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years imprisonment and the second accused person was sent to the male correctional center in Freetown
ASP Hawa Bah is prosecuting the Matter which is adjourned to the 26th November 2021 for further hearing.