June 8, 2021
By Audrey John
Assistant Superintendent of the Sierra Leone’s Correctional Centre, Abu Bakarr Nyanqui, was granted bail after cross examination was done by defence Lawyer C. Campbell before Magistrate Sahr Kekura at Magistrate Court No.1 in the on-going preliminary Investigation into an alleged theft allegation.
According to the charge sheet it was alleged that the accused person Abu Bakarr Nyanqui, on Monday 19th April 2021, at the Male Correctional Facility on Pademba Road in Freetown did steal 156 foam mattresses, property of the Sierra Leone Correctional Facility.
The accused was before the court on one count charge of Larceny by servant contrary to Section 17(1a) of the Larceny Act 1916.
During cross examination defense Counsel asked the witness, Detective Solomon Amadu, whether the accused included in his statement made to the police that he was instructed by his boss he will be taking the mattresses to regent road for safe keeping, and the witness replied in the affirmative. Defence Lawyer also asked the investigator whether he went to the correctional centre to verify if there was a spacious place or room that will contain those amounts of mattresses. The witness replied yes.
Lead defense counsel, lawyer C. Campbell, renewed his application for bail on behalf of his client. He canvassed his bail plea on Section 79(2) of the Criminal Procedure Act of 1965.
Magistrate Sahr Keikura granted bail to the accused person in the sum of two hundred million Leones or two sureties in like both sureties must be elderly citizens and one of them should be employed from a recognize institution the said surety should produce his employment letter including their identity card depicting their address in Freetown to be approved by the DAR. ASP I. Mansaray prosecuting
The matter was adjourned to the 14th June 2021.