By: Audrey Raymonda John
Magistrate Shar Kekura of Ross Road Court No.1 has pronounced the sentence for Mohamed Kanu, a landlord, and Yeabu Conteh, a landlady, in connection to their tenant, Foday Francis Bangura. The verdict requires them to pay a fine of two hundred and fifty leones (NLe250) to the state. Alternatively, if they fail to pay, they face a three-month imprisonment at the Male and Female Correctional Facility on Pademba in Freetown.
The magistrate’s decision follows the arraignment of the accused on two charges of conspiracy and malicious damage, as outlined in section 52 of the Malicious Damage Act of 1861. The incident took place on January 25, 2023, at No. 10 Harding Street, Rokupa, Wellington, Freetown. According to Magistrate Kekura, Yeabu Conteh and Mohamed Kanu conspired with unidentified individuals to maliciously damage eighteen (18) corrugated zinc sheets, a pot of food, and other valuables totaling seven hundred and ninety leones (NLe790), all belonging to the complainant, Foday Francis Bangura.
During the proceedings, six prosecution witnesses, led by Chief Inspector Isatu Bangura, including the Exhibit Clerk, presented various exhibits. The witnesses underwent cross-examination by the Defense Counsel, Randy S. Bangura from the Legal Aid Board (LAB) Sierra Leone. The magistrate noted that the accused’s confession statements made at the police station, admitting their involvement in hiring and instructing a carpenter to remove the complainant’s roof zinc, convinced him that the prosecution had sufficiently proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
The accused were consequently found guilty as charged. Due to the absence of Defense Counsel Randy S. Bangura, no plea mitigation was presented. Magistrate Kekura directed the convicts to pay a fine of two hundred and fifty leones (NLe250) to the state, or else they would be subject to a three-month imprisonment.
Chief Inspector Isatu Bangura handled the prosecution of the case.