By Audrey Raymonda John
Thirty-seven-year-old Christopher Komba Nguaja, an engineer, made his first appearance before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Pademba Road Court No.1 in Freetown on two counts: Conspiracy to commit a crime contrary to law and Robbery with aggravation, contrary to section 23 (1) (a) of the Larceny Act of 1916, as repealed and replaced by Section 2 of Act No.16 of 1971.
According to the particulars of the offense, on Saturday, February 3rd, 2024, at Mongage, Iceland, Gloucester Village, in the Mountain Rural District, Western Area in Freetown, Christopher Komba Nguaja conspired together with other persons unknown to commit a crime. On count two, at the same date and place, armed with a knife, he robbed Mohamed Sannoh of one hundred bags of cement, four shovels, four headpans, and other items, all valued at twenty-six thousand nine hundred and ninety Leones (26,990), property of Mariama Musa, while in the custody of Mohamed Sannoh.
The charges were read and explained to the accused person. No plea was taken. The prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police Ibrahim S. Mansaray, informed the Bench that his witness is present but he did not have proper conference with him. The accused person was unrepresented by a legal representative. Meanwhile, Magistrate Kekura refused bail and sent the accused person to the male correctional facility in Freetown. The matter was adjourned to the 16th of February 2024 for further hearing.
