By: Audrey Raymonda John
Gbassay Kargbo, Ibrahim Tarawalie, Mathew Foday, Samuel Mansaray and Hassan Abess made another appearance before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba road court No.3 in Freetown on three count charges to wit Conspiracy to commit a felony contrary to law, Store Breaking and larceny contrary to section 26 (1) of the Larceny Act 1916 and Receiving stolen goods contrary to section 33 (1) of the Larceny Act 1916.
According to the particulars of offence on the 21st March 2023 at Nimo Construction Company at No.1Damba Road Murray Town the western area in Freetown conspired together and with other persons unknown to commit a felony to wit store breaking and larceny.
On count two the accused persons at the same place and date entered into the store of Nimo construction company and stole therein five hundred pieces Acro pops thirty five set scaffolds all to the total value of one hundred and forty one thousand two hundred and twenty five Leones (1,41,225) Property of Nimo construction company while in the custody of Swaib Santigie Conteh.
On count three on the same date and place the fifth accused person did received ten scaffolds all to the total value of two thousand three hundred and thirty one Leones (2,331) property of the said company.
Prosecution witness number three DPC 17098 Mamoud Kim Fullah attached to the Criminal Investigation Department Ross Road.
He recognized all the accused persons in the dock and the complainant in this matter on the 21st of March 2023.
He was on duty at the said office when the complainant arrested and brought in the first accused person Gbassay for the case of shop breaking and larceny the matter was allocated to him for investigation.
He obtained statements from complainant and witnesses separately.
On the same date himself together with the complainant the accused person Gbassy Kargbo and DPC 13974 Juan E visited the crime scene photographs were taken on the same date himself and 13974 J A made a contemporaneous interview the accused person was cautioned and questioned in krio language and it was recorded down in English.
The statement was read over and explained to the accused person and he admitted it to be true and correct by afflicting his right hand thumb print witnessed by Dpc 13974 Juanis E and he signed as the recorder.
The statement of the first accused person was produced and tendered in court to form part of the court records.
On the 22nd March 2023 himself together with a team of police officers conducted a search warrant at the house of the first accused person.
Nothing of police interest was found in the house of the first accused person.
Search warrant was produced and tendered in court to form part of the court records.
On the said date himself and DPC 19841 Mattia M.S contemporaneously interviewed the second, third, forth, and fifth accused persons charge statement and search warrant for all accused persons was produced and tendered in court to form part of the court records on the 22nd March 2023.
On the 25th March 2023 himself and DPC 13974 charge the first, second, third and fourth accused persons are charged with the offences of Conspiracy Shop breaking and larceny and the fifth accused person was charged with receiving stolen goods.
The accused persons were charged separately, charge statement for all accused persons was produced and tendered in court to form part of the court records. The witness was cross examined by C. Pujeh Esq meanwhile, Magistrate Bangura refused bail and sent the first, second, third and fourth accused persons to the male correctional center in Freetown bail continued for the fifth accused person matter adjourned to the 25th April 2023 for further hearing.