By: Hafsatu Z Bangura
Randolph John a businessman has on the 29th of June testified before Justice Monfred Sesay of High Court No.2.
The Complainant Randolph John told Justice Monfred Sesay that he shivered and urinated on himself when he was attacked by an alleged armed robber.
When testifying in court, the complainant told Justice Sesay that he recognized the accused (Mohamed Kamara) and recalled him on the 26th of May 2021. He said he was coming from a cinema and upon arrival at his residence, 12 Hillside driver, Leicester road; he entered his compound and packed his vehicle when he heard a loud sound.
“When I opened my vehicle door, I heard a gunshot and later saw the accused in front of me and said that they are here for me, so I should drop my bag containing my money and the accused fired the third shot in the air with a black pistol and shot me on my left knee,” said the complainant, he further that after the shooting I started shivering and urinated on myself he revealed.
The witness said after the accused took his phone and bag containing his money, the accused called his colleagues and handed over the bag to them, adding that the accused further asked him to remove his pieces of jewelry from his body, but he refused and the accused shot him on his left foot.
He narrated that after the accused shot him, he felt serious pain and went closer to the gate where some guys outside the compound saw him, he added that the accused further took his gold chains and he was trying to remove his gold rings when one of his colleagues told him that time is against them and he went to his motorbike and rode off.
He said after the accused left the compound, some guys took him to Connaught hospital for treatment and were there when his friend informed him that they have arrested the accused and had been taken to Ross Road police station. He said upon receipt of the information, he pleaded with the nurse to release him so he can go to the station to see his attackers.
He continued that upon arrival at the station, they told him that the accused has been taken to the hospital for treatment because he sustained injuries on his head, so he went back to the hospital and continued his treatment.
The witness said he later made a statement to the police at Ross Road police station.
Also testifying in court as the second prosecution witness, Detective Sergeant 8576 Issa Kamara, attached to the Exhibit Office at the Criminal Investigation Department headquarters as exhibit clerk said he recalled on the 20th June 2021,
said he was on duty at the said station when Detective Inspector Kabbia R. attached to the Major Incident Unit, CID headquarter handed over to him one black compact pistol, two live rounds ammunition, three empty bullet shells, one old Kg 10 mobile phone and one old blue unregistered motorbike.
He said the exhibits were registered in the exhibit book with serial number 120/2021 and they were in police custody.
The said exhibits were identified by the witness and they were later tendered in court to form part of the evidence.
After their testimonies, they were cross-examined by Lawyer R. S Bangura from Legal Aid Board on behalf of the accused person.
The accused was before the court on three counts of conspiracy, robbery with aggravation and wounding contrary to Law.
State counsel, A. Jalloh alleged that the accused on the 26th May 2021, at Hillside Drive, Leceister Road in Freetown conspired with other persons unknown to commit a felony to wit robbery with aggravation.
It further alleged that the accused on the same date and place being armed with a gun robbed Randolph John of his properties worth 576, 580, 000 Leones, after such robbery he wounded the complainant with intent to do him grievous bodily harm.
Justice Sesay however, remanded the accused to the Male Correctional Centre and adjourned the matter to Wednesday 6th July 2022
