November 18, 2021
By Audrey John
The exhibit clerk attached to the crime writers/ exhibit office at the Criminal Investigation Department detective sergeant 1516 Abu Conteh, has tendered twenty five solar panels, five batteries and seventeen bed nets in respect of an alleged solar panels theft.
The accused on the above action Joseph Sylvester Conteh, Amadu Bello Fofanah and Abass Kamara are before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Pademba Road Court No 1 for Preliminary Investigation for conspiracy and larceny contrary to section 2 of the larceny Act of 1916.
It was alleged on the charge sheet that between the 1st of August and 30th of September 2021, at Kamara Street Masoila lungi, in the port Loko judicial district, North West Region of the Republic of Sierra Leone, conspired with other persons unknown and stole forty solar panels and forty solar batteries belonging to the government of Sierra Leone.
Taking the witness stand and led in his examination in chief by Inspector Fofanah G, the exhibit clerk said he is responsible to receive and keep all exhibits brought to the office in relation to cases that are reported and Investigated at the Criminal Investigation Department and produce same in court when needed.
He said on the 6th day of October 2021, he was on duty when detective police Constable 13373 Bockarie M attached to the Major Incident Unit at the Criminal Investigation Department handed over to him the following items as exhibits in respect of the above matter including twenty three solar street panels, five solar batteries and seventeen bed nets.
He said he too possession of them and registered them in the court exhibit book as against serial number 211/2021 and since then they have been in his custody.
In conclusion, the exhibit clerk produced and tendered the items to form part of the prosecution’s case.
Testing his evidence in cross examination, the exhibit clerk said he did not register the serial number of the solar panels.
“My Lord, my duty as an exhibit clerk is to receive, and keep items relating to cases”, he stated in a firm mood.
The previous witness, Mustapha Sannoh, director of the Ministry of Engergy and power was also docked by the prosecutor inspector G Fofanah to ascertain whether the exhibits are the once he took to the Criminal Investigation Department.
Mr. Sannoh further produced in court supporting documents to clarify his point.
The first prosecution witness in continuation said solar panels have different characteristics and specifications.
He said the temperature, voltage, maximum current, the efficiency, the open and short circuit of this panel, the fuss, and watts are different.
He said the voltage which the Ministry of Energy comes with is 75.
Questioned about the serial number on the solar panels in court, the director said all the solar panels they brought have their seals.
At the end of cross examination, Magistrate Sahr Kekura adjourned the matter to the 25th of November 2021 for the prosecution to take its next witness.