By:Audrey Raymonda John
Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Ross Road Court No. 1 yesterday remanded Rashid Mansaray, Saidu Mansaray , Tommy Turay, Suliaman Musa, Feika Aka Butter Rice, Mohamed Kamara, Pastor Sarah Mariama Gevao Aka Mama Pastor and John Kaniako at the Male and Female Correctional Centres on Pademba Road in Freetown for allegedly conspiring with unknown persons to rob Issa Turay of his Tecno Spark 7 mobile phone, an iPhone, a backpack and other valuables totaling eleven thousand five hundred and thirty Leones (NLe11,530).
The incident occurred on 23th July 2023 at Rogbagba Village on the outskirts of Freetown.
The accused appeared before the court on five counts charges of conspiracy to commit a felony, robbery with aggravation, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, incitement and malicious damage contrary to law.
It was alleged that the accused, on Wednesday 6th July 2023 at Rogbagba Village, on the outskirts of Freetown, conspired with unknown persons to commit a felony, to wit, robbery with aggravation.
It was alleged that the accused, on the same date and place outside Freetown robbed Isaa Turay of his iPhone and other valuables times valued at twelve thousand, five hundred and fifty Leones.
The charge sheet furthered that the accused, in the same date and place assaulted the complainant in a manner thereby causing him grievous bodily harm.
It was also alleged that the accused, on the same date and place malicious damage the complainant’s wooden door and in-lock valued at nine hundred and fifty Leones (NLe 950).
The police said the sixth accused perosn, incited the other men to rob the complainant of his valuables worth thousands of Leones.
Led in Freetown evidence by Assistant Superintendent of Police ( ASP), Osman M. Bangura prosecution witness (PW ) 1, residing at No. 145 King Street in Rogbagba Village said he recognized the accused in respect of the matter and recall Wednesday 26th July 2023.
PW1 said on the day in question, he was at home, but later went out to fetch water, adding that upon his return, he heard strange noise at his residence, and when he peed at a distance, he heard the accused using all sorts of abusive language.
“I was at a distance; I saw the accused at my residence. When the sixth accused saw me, she instructed her boys to do with me;…Sonner than I heard her saying that, I dropped the bucket and flee for my life,” Isaa told the court.
He disclosed to the court that the accused were well armed to the teeth. The witness said the accused were hitting his door, adding that the first and seventh accused were chasing him and abusing his mother.
The witness said he narrated the incident toMr. Peter and that he and the complainant went to his brother at Rogbagba Junction.
The witness said he later reported the matter to the Hastings Police Station where he made a statement.
At this juncture, Assistant Superintendent of Police ASP Osman M. Bangura sought for adjournment for him to proper conference with his witness, which was granted.
Defence Counsel H. Kamara representing first, fourth, fifth and sixth accused renewed and adopted his previous application for bail on behalf of his clients.
Responding, Magistrate Kekura refused the accused bail and remanded them at the Male and Female Correctional Centers in Freetown.
The matter was adjourned to 6th September, 2023 for further hearing.