By: Audrey Raymonda John
Alie Sankoh, Edwin Mash and Memunatu Karim have made their second appearance before Magistrate Isata Sellu Tucker of the Pademba Road Court No. 2 for allegedly forging their birth certificates to register for the 24 June 2023 general elections.
The accused appeared before the court on two counts of forgery of birth certificates and altering birth certificates contrary to the laws of Sierra Leone.
It was alleged by the police that Alie Sankoh on Thursday, September 2022 at Water Street in Congo Town Freetown forged birth certificates.
The charge sheet furthered that the first and second accused, on the same date and place, in Freetown uttered and forged birth certificates intending to register for the forthcoming general elections.
Former witness James Karim Lahai attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Congo Cross Police Division in Freetown, said he recognized the accused person.
He continued that he was on duty at the aforesaid police division when the complainants Hawa Gilo Koroma and Sia Kpaka arrested the accused and brought them to the police division with three birth certificates, a laptop, one old laptop, a printer, a mouse including charger and reported a case of forgery.
Mr Lahai said on the same day, he obtained statements from the complainant and witnesses.
Initially, he went on that on Friday 9 September 2022, he conducted a search at the first accused’s premises at No. 5 Water Street in Congo Town Freetown, but nothing of police interest was discovered.
He buttressed that on the very day, he also searched for the first accused place of business situated at No. 38 Water Street Congo Town, but nothing of police interest was discovered.
The witness disclosed that on Monday 12 September 2022, he said he sent a request to the Director General of the National Civil Registration Authority (NACRA) at Walpole Street for verification of the said certificates.
He told the bench that NACRA Director General replied to his request both the reply and request documents were produced and tendered to form part of the court’s records.
Mr Lahai continued that on Thursday 8 September he and Detective Police Constable 17168 Issa Kargbo obtained a voluntary caution statement from the first accused, which he admitted to be true and correct by affixing his right-hand thumbprint which was witnessed by Detective Police Constable (DPC) Issa Kargbo. The first accused’s voluntary caution statement was tendered in evidence.
On the same day, he said he and Defective Inspector Lukulay obtained a voluntary caution statement from the second and third accused, which they admitted to them be true and correct by affixing her right-hand thumbprints witnessed Sheku Lukulay Edwin.
Their voluntary caution statements were tendered in evidence.
The witness concluded that Thursday 29 September 2022, he charged the accused with forgery of birth certificates and the second and third accused charged with altering forgery of birth certificates.
The accused’s charge statements were tendered in evidence.
Defence Counsel, C. Campbell representing the accused cross-examined the witness on behalf of his clients.
The accused are on bail and the matter was adjourned to 21st October 2022.
