By: Audrey Raymonda John
Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Ross Road Court No. 1 in Freetown yesterday remanded Abdulai Sesay, alias Borbor Yetta, and Junior Frank, alias Biggie, at the Male Correctional Centre on Pademba Road for allegedly conspiring with unknown persons to rob Esther Mounda Bangura.
The incident occurred on Saturday 7th January 2023 at Mamba Ridge, Moyiba in Freetown.
Abdulai Sesay and Junior Frank appeared before the court for the offences of conspiracy, robbery with aggravation, two count of wounding and two count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm contrary to the laws of Sierra Leone.
It was alleged by the police that the accused, on Saturday 7th January 2023 at Mamba Ridge, Moyiba in Freetown, conspired with unknown persons to commit a felony, to wit, robbery with aggravation.
The charge sheet furthered that the accused, on the same date and place in Freetown, robbed Esther Mounda Bangura of a Vivo mobile phone valued at three thousand, five hundred leones (NLe3,500).
The police say the accused, on the same date and place in Freetown, assaulted and wounded Esther Mound Bangura and Mohamed Bangura in a manner thereby causing them grievous bodily harm.
Led in evidence by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Osman M. Bangura, prosecution witness (PW) 2, Mohamed Bangura, who resides at No. 51
Black Hall Road in Freetown, told the bench that he recognized the accused and could recall Saturday
7 January 2023.
Mr Bangura said at round 9pm that night he was in his room when he heard his sister, the first complainant, shouting, ‘Thief!Thief! He said that warranted him to come outside, following which he saw the two unknown persons running, adding that he gave chase after them. The witness disclosed that one of them hid in a dark place and when he lit mobile phone’s light, he saw the first accused and called him by his nickname, Borbor Yetta
He said suddenly the first accused cut him with a cutlass on his right leg, disclosing that though he was in pain, ‘I held the first accused firmly until neighbours came at the crime scene and arrested him.’
He continued: ‘When I held the first accused, who was in possession of the missing mobile phone, the second rushed at the crime scene trying to take away the phone. He was also apprehended and taken to the P.W.D Police Station.’
On the same night, he said he was conveyed to a nearby pharmacy for treatment, adding that on the following day he reported the matter to the P.W.D Police Station where he was issued with a police medical request form for treatment at the Kissy Police Government Hospital.
on the same day, the witness went on that he returned the endorsed medical paper to the police, which was produced and tendered to form part of the court’s records marked “exhibit (Y)’.
The witness concluded his evidence that he made a statement at the aforesaid police station.
Defence Counsel A. Kargbo representing the first accused conducted cross examination of the witness on behalf of his client.
Lawyer Kargbo also renewed and adopted his application for bail on behalf of the first accused.
The second accused, who was not legally represented, also conducted cross examination on his behalf.
Responding, Magistrate Keikura denied the accused bail being that the allegations, which they are standing trial, are grave.
The matter was adjourned to 22nd February 2023.