January 31, 2022
By Audrey John
Joseph Jusu Sandi, a Saint Edward Junior Secondary School Pupil has taken the witness stand and narrated how he was put on gun point for money he doesn’t steal by complainant who happens to be his ward.
Joseph Jusu Sandi was before the court with two others on three count charges of Conspiracy to commit felony, larceny and receiving stolen goods contrary to section 33(1) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the particulars of offence sometimes in January 2021 at No. 11 Lewis drive Juba Lumley the western area in Freetown conspired together with Joseph Jusu Sandi to commit a crime.
On count one and two the 1st and 2nd accused persons did steal property worth twenty five million Leones (25,500,000) property of Daniel Ojeah, Henry Williams and Leslie Nicole.
Led in his defence by his counsel IDB John, the accused said sometimes las year, he was residing with complainant who promised to assist him with his education.
The defendant said one evening; complainant went out with first accused leaving him at the garage where they use to sleep.
Led by defense counsel IDB John, the defendant said after one hour, complainant came back with first accused and asked him to take his bag inside the seating room and go out.
He said few minutes later the girlfriend Isha surfaced and asked him about complainant whom he told her was in his room.
The accused told the court that after the girlfriend of complainant left, complainant came outside saying he has lost some money.
“My Lord complainant threatened that if I don’t answer for the money he will kill me”, he stated.
The defendant said complainant took out a gun and an axe attempting to chop him. He said at that point some people intervened and complainant told him he has stolen the sum of four hundred dollars, but they advised him to wait until morning.
The defendant said in the morning, complainant called a sorcerer to ascertain who stole the money.
He said the sorcerer questioned him as to who took the money, but I denied.
He further explained that the sorcerer called the aggrieved people and complainant inside the room after which the police came in with a van and took him to Lumley police station where statement was obtained from him and first accused.
“At the station, I was question by the police as to whether I took the money but I denied”, the defendant said.
He said after obtaining statement from him, complainant came in and talk to the police and he was dragged into the cell.
What the accused said he was charged to court for is far different from what the police presented in court.
During cross examination by Inspector MK Taylor, the defendant said he has known complainant for one month.
He said he use to work for complainant who in turn payed him and promised to assisting him to go to school, which never materialize. In another question put to him, he responded that he did not have free access to the main house of complainant.
At the end of cross examination, defense counsel IDB John told the Bench that, that is the case for the defense. He said he will address the court in writing.
Magistrate Sahr Kekura adjourned the matter to the 14th of February 2022.