By: Audrey Raymonda John
Sky Security guard, Alhaji Kamara, Alhaji Koroma, Festus Wannie and Alusine Bangura have made their second appearance before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Ross Road Court No 1 in Freetown for allegedly breaking into the complainant’s store situated at Fire Force in the east of Freetown and stealing certain building materials totaling one hundred and forty-nine thousand, one hundred and seventy Leones (NLe149, 170).
The accused appeared before the court on two counts charges of conspiracy and store breaking and larceny contrary to section 26 (1) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
It was alleged by the police that the accused, on the same date and place in Freetown, conspired with unknown persons to commit a felony to wit, store breaking and larceny.
On count two the accused persons, on Thursday 20th July 2023 at at Funnah Factory situated at Devil Hole in Rokel, Freetown broke and entered Ibrahim Leigh’s store and stole 20 pieces bar , a cash of NLe28,500 and other valuables valued at NLe148,170 belonging to the complainant.
Led in evidence by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Osman M Bangura first prosecution witness said he recognized the first accused as his security guard, but he knew the second, third and fourth accused in respect of the matter.
He said he could recall Thursday 20th 2023.
On that day, the witness he was at home when he received information from unknown person about his store.
He said upon the receipt if the information, he instantly left for the crime scene, adding that upon his arrived at the crime scene, he discovered that the padlock was damaged and the accused was nowhere to be found. PW1 said called on the accused’s security company, noting that one Mr Vandi working for the said agency later came at the crime scene.
Before the arrival of the first accused’s boss, Mr Vandi, the first accused also arrived at the crime scene.
He said he, the accused and Mr Vandi entered into the store and discovered that the store was ransacked and cash of twenty-eight thousand five hundred Leones (NLe28, 500) inside drawer and other valuables had been carted away.
He noted that he discovered some money on the floor, eight pieces of steel plates, 21 pieces design plates, PVC pipes and other valuables totaling at NLe149, 170.
Subsequently, he said the accused was arrested and taken Rokel Police Post and made a report.
He said he and two police officers visited the crime scene at Fire force and took photographs which were developed into pictures.
The pictures were produced and tendered to for identification.
He said was called at the said post and identified the second, third and fourth accused to him as accomplices.
One defense counsels, Emmanuel Conteh representing the first accused, started cross examining the within behalf of the first accused while lawyer A.B. Kamara representing the second, third and fourth accused.
At this stage Magistrate Kekura adjourned the matter to 15th September, 2023 for further cross examination
The accused persons were refused bail and remanded at the Male Correctional Centre on Pademba Road in Freetown.
The matter was adjourned to 15th September 2023 for further cross examination.