By: Audrey Raymonda John
Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Ross Road Court No.1 in Freetown has denied an alleged armed robber, Francis Mansaray, 23yrs old bail and remanded him at the Male Correctional Centre on Pademba Road in Freetown.
The accused person appeared before the court for the offences of conspiracy to commit a felony contrary to law, robbery with aggravation contrary to section 23(1) (a) as repealed and replaced by section 2 of No.26 of 1971, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm contrary to section 47 of the Offences against the Persons Act of 1861.
It was alleged that the accused, on Saturday 1st March 2023 at the Sierra Leone Frozen Compound, Kissy Terminal, in Freetown, conspired with unknown persons to commit a crime, to wit, robbery with aggravation.
The charge sheet furthered that the accused, on the same date and place, in Freetown, robbed Amos Junior Lavalie four trollies worth NLe428 properties belonging to Sierra Leone Frozen Company while in custody of Amos Junior Lavalie and at the same time assaulted the complainant in a manner thereby causing him grievous bodily harm.
The formal prosecution witness Bindi T.M attached to the Anti-Robbery Unit at the Regional Ross Road Police Station, Harbour Division in Freetown, told the court that he recall the day in question.
He said on that fateful day, he was on duty at the aforesaid unit at the Ross Road Police Station, when the complainant, Amos Junior Lavalie working for Sierra Leone Police (SLP) force from the Operations Support Division (OSD) wing reported that he had released fire armed on armed robber at the Ferry Junction in Freetown.
At this juncture, the police prosecutor, Chief Inspector Isatu Bangura sought for an adjournment for her to have proper conference with her witness, which was granted.
Magistrate Kekura denied the accused bail due to seriousness of the offences and remanded him at the Male Correctional Centre on Pademba Road in Freetown.
The matter was adjourned to 28th August 2023 for further evidence in chief.