By: Hafsatu Z Bangura
First Prosecution witness Ibrahim Sorie Bangura a police constable attached to the Wellington police post took the witness stand to testify against the accused person Amara Dumbuya.
According to him he said on the 14th November 2022 he was on duty when Detective Police Constable arrested and brought in the accused person Amara Dumbuya for the Offence of Larceny and the matter was assigned to him for further investigation.
He said during the course of investigation a team of police officers headed by himself including the accused and complainant visited the scene of crime.
They later obtained statements from the complainant and relevant other witnesses he said.
On Tuesday 15th DPc 18001 Sheriff S and himself obtained interview VCS form the accused.
Interview VCS exhibit tendered in court. On the 16th November charges were filed against the accused person for Larceny.
Cross examination by defense counsel inquired from the witness if the stolen property of the complainant was found in the home of the accused of which the witness said they did not.
Counsel also challenged him that there is no evidence connecting the accused of the offence to which the witness said there is evidence gathered.
The complainant Maseray Harding the younger sister of the complainant said on that day she saw the accused with the bag containing cash and other items, he was challenged again by defense counsel that there is no evidence and that the accused was charged based on what the complainant told them, to which the witness said the accused was charged based on evidence.
The witness said the accused was charged according to the Act of larceny.
According to the charge sheet the accused person Amara Dumbuya is charged on a one count indictment of Larceny contrary to section 2 of the Larceny Act 1916.
The particulars of offence state that the accused person Amara Dumbuya on Friday 11th November 2022 at K-step Calabatown Freetown stole the sum of One Million Eight Hundred Leones and other items.
As per investigations the stolen items belonged to the complainant said the witness.
Matter adjourned to the 21st December for further hearing, accused remanded in custody.
Constable 17720 Fofanah H is Prosecuting and R.S Bangura Esq and M.A Kamara Esq defending counsels for the accused person.