By Audrey Raymonda John
In a recent court proceeding at Pademba Road Court No.6 in Freetown, 24-year-old pupil Aminata Tucker made another appearance before Magistrate Peter Brima Gogra. Tucker faced a charge of Larceny, as outlined in section 2 of the Larceny Act 1916.
The particulars of the offense detailed that on Saturday, 23rd December 2023, at Lakka Village Peninsular Road in the Western area of Freetown, Tucker allegedly stole the sum of three thousand United States dollars, equivalent to seventy-two thousand Leones, belonging to Mabinty Sesay.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Marie Sesay led the prosecution, presenting Sergeant 8576 Issa Kamara as witness number four. Kamara, attached to the exhibit office at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters on Pademba Road in Freetown, testified recognizing both the accused person and the complainant. He recounted being on duty on the 9th of January 2024 when Corporal 11692 Jusu P, from the major incident unit at CID headquarters, handed over the sum of fourteen thousand six hundred and twenty Leones for registration and safekeeping.
Kamara stated that he registered the amount against serial number 004/2024 in the court exhibit book and affirmed that it had been in police custody since then. The exhibit, consisting of the mentioned sum of money, was produced and tendered in court to become part of the official court records.
During cross-examination by H. Thullah Esq, representing Tucker, Kamara reaffirmed previous bail applications on behalf of the accused person. However, Magistrate Gogra refused bail and ordered Tucker to be remanded to the female correctional facility in Freetown. The matter was adjourned to the 3rd of March 2024 for further hearing.
