By: Audrey Raymonda John
Magistrate Mark Ngegba of Pademba road court No1 has on Monday 9th October 2023, granted 300 thousand new Leones bail to Jose Ignacio Castelluchio and Zdravko Voglar over alleged gold theft.
The two defendants were arraigned before the court on four counts charges ranging from fraudulently conversion contrary to section 20(1(iv(a) of the larceny Act 1916, conspiracy to commit a felony contrary to law, store breaking and larceny contrary to section 26(1) of the larceny Act 1916 and Larceny contrary to section 13 of the larceny Act 1916.
According to the indictments on count one, the first defendant Jose Ignacio Castelluchio on a date unknown between the 1st day of December 2022 and the 31st December 2022 in Mamanki in the Tonkolili judicial district in the Northern province fraudulently converted to his own use 700 grams of gold, valued $47,750 US dollars entrusted to him by the complainant Mary Jartu Kosia and Abubakarr Sidikie Koroma herein.
It was further alleged on counts two that Jose Ignacio Castelluchio on a date unknown between 20th and 23rd January 2023, in Magburuka, Tonkolili district conspired together with other person’s unknown to commit a felony to wit house breaking and larceny.
Counts three further stated that the defendants Jose Ignacio Castelluchio and Zdravko Voglar on the 4th February 2023, in Mamanki Tonkolili district broke and entered into the store of the Complainants and stole 100 grams of gold valued $65,000 US dollars, and 20 gallons of Diesel valued at NLe 1,720/00 all property of the complainants.
Whiles counts four stated that the two defendants in diverse dates between 1st February 2023 and 31st March 2023, in Mamanki Tonkolili district Northern province stole 230 gallons of Diesel valued at NLe 19,780/00 all properties of the complainants.
When the charges were read and explained to them, they did not take their plea.
The prosecutor lawyer Hindolo M Gevao requested for an adjournment to prepare his witnesses.
Defense counsel Claudius Campbell applied for bail on behalf of both defendants on the grounds that they were not served and therefore said they are placed in a difficult situation.
He added that his clients are not flight risk.
Lawyer Gevao in reply informed the court that the defendants were served and also opposed to bail on the grounds that they are not Sierra Leoneans but Argentinians and if granted bail will jump bail and flee.
Magistrate Ngegba having listened to both sides granted bail to the accused persons in the sum of 300 thousand new Leones and one surety each in like sum, adding that they must be gainfully employed and to have a bank statement not less than 150 million old Leones and should produce their traveling documents. He said the bail should be verified by him and approved by master and registrar.
The matter was adjourned to 16th October 2023.