July 28, 2021
By Audrey John
Prosecution witness, Mohamed S. Mansaray with force number 17801, attached at the Major Incident Unit, Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters in Freetown, disclosed that he doesn’t know the complaint, but recognized the accused person in the dock.
He recalled that on the 24th April 2021, he was on duty at the Major Incident Unit AT CID, when the office received a transfer case of house breaking and Larceny together with the accused from Aberdeen Police Station.
He said the file contained complaint and two witness statements, including photographs. He added that they continued the investigation into the matter.
He mentioned that he took a voluntary caution statement from the accused person which he tendered in court for it to form part of the Court records.
He recalled that on the 4th July 2021, he disclosed that he charged the accused with the Offences of Larceny and House Breaking. He produced the charge statement and tendered it as exhibit in court.
During cross-examination, the accused who was not represented in court asked the prosecution witness for what offence he was arrested for. The witness responded that he charged with the Offences of Larceny and House Breaking.
Conteh said he had asked the investigating team to do a background check as to whether he is a criminal or not, adding that the scene of crime was not visited.
Magistrate Sahr Kekura expressed curiosity as to how the prosecution was able to charge the accused with the offence of House Breaking and Larceny, but the witness said he charged based on the evidence received so far.
Magistrate Sahr Kekura admonished the police witness to stop what he described as arm chair investigation.
Magistrate Sahr Kekura granted Le 100million bail to the accused person, plus one surety who must be resident in Freetown. He said the bail is to be approved by the Deputy Assistant Registrar (DAR) and he adjourned the matter to the 13th August 2021.
Assistant Superintendent of Police ASP Aminatu Daboh is prosecuting the matter.