By: Audrey John
Alimamy Koroma Driver employed by the government of Sierra Leone attached to Justice Glenna Thompson Supreme Court Judge as her personal driver and Ruth Koroma and Mohamed Koroma respectively staff of NP fuel station Campbell Street, Freetown.
The matter came up on Monday 7th March 2022, appeared before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Court No 1 Pademba Road for fuel theft worth over one hundred million Leones.
Second Prosecution witness (PW2) a private legal practitioner Drucil Taylor, of JPK Chamber at Bathurst Street Freetown, on Monday testify that he recognized the first accused person as Justice Glenna Thompson personal driver and didn’t recognized the 2nd and 3rd accused persons, he recalled between June 2020 and February 2021 as he was at his chamber with Galaga King the Managing Partner for GPK Legal also a partner of Justice Glenna Thompson.
PW2 continues that as they were having conversation, Mr. King raised the issue of fuel consumption, he indicated to him that he has just been given the cheat of Toyota Land cruiser from NP filling station Campbell Street, and that the quantity of fuel for which requisition for may seem unreasonable.
But Mr. King raised an issue that the fuel the vehicle is receiving on behalf of Justice Glenna Thompson is not the case. The witness further that on the 2nd to 6th December 2021, there was a requisition for two separate 90 liters and earlier to those 180 liters was pumped into the vehicle.
On the basis of those observations he and Mr. King realized that there have been some fraudulent activities on the requisition of supply of fuel. Mr. King then called the first accused Alimamy Koroma to explain about the pattern of supply of fuel. The first accused came to the office and some questions were put to him, and Alimamy Koroma confirmed the signature of the cheat and also confirmed he made the requisitions.
After the said confirmation Mr. King took the sheet. He told the accused how can he put two 90 liters into a vehicle, he said it is possible. He further informed him that the capacity of the Toyota Prado storage is 80 liters and for the Toyota Land cruiser the storage will be more than 100 liters. He asked the first accused what was his usual root, he said from Regent to Bathurst Street, so therefore he went and showed him the requisition.
The accused confirmed to him that it is their usual practice to fill in the tank within half and quarter. There after he went on to confront the accused for 180 liters which was allegedly supply to the Toyota Prado and other similar supply that are absurd.
Lawyer Taylor then told the Court that the first accused confessed that he always go to NP Filling Station on Campbell Street and write for fuel which he will sold and share the money to the other accused (Ruth and Mohamed) staff at the filling station.
Lawyer Taylor told the Court that the first accused also confessed that he has been doing it for month to collect fuel at the station in the name of Justice Glenna Thompson. So after that he was asked to go and come back the following day.
But what they find out the first accused has been doing it for 18 months. Then Mr. King told the first accused what they have found out he has informed the Police. As the first accused saw the Police Officer he said he wanted to use the toilet, but he was guided by him and other people at the office, as he got close to the toilet he try to escape but was apprehended by the Police. At the end of the testimony he said he made statement at his office.
The first accused is not represented but did the cross examination himself. The 2nd and 3rd was represented by C. Campbell Esq. who cross examined the witness. It could be recall that all three accused persons Alimamy Koroma, Ruth Koroma and Mohamed Koroma are charged with a count of conspiracy to defraud contrary to law.
According to the charge sheet all accused persons between June 2020 to January 2022, at MP Fuel Station in Campbell Street, Freetown, conspired together to defrauded Justice Glenna Thompson of the Supreme Court of Sierra Leone.
Count 2 Larceny by Servant Contrary to Section 17 (1) (a) of the Larceny Act 1916. According to the charge sheet, the first accused Alimamy Koroma on the same date and place being a servant employed by the government of Sierra Leone attached to the Judiciary stole 13,793 liters of fuel value one hundred and twenty million three hundred and thirty eight thousand five hundred Leones property of Honorable of Justice Glenna Thompson of the Supreme Court of Sierra Leone. 5 counts of obtaining goods by false pretenses contrary to Section 32 (1) if the Larceny Act 1916.
According to the charge on the same date and place obtained 257 liters of fuel value nineteen million one hundred and seventy seven thousand Leones knowing same to be false.
Counsel representing the accused person renewed his previous application for bail on behalf of the accused persons.
Magistrate Keikura refused bail and sent all accused persons to the male and female Correctional center, and matter was adjourned to the 9th March 2022.