By: Audrey Raymonda John
Joseph Abu Bakarr Sanu a Forensic and Ballistic Expert has on Wednesday 30th August 2023 testified before magistrate Mark Ngegba of Court No1 against Alpha Sheriff ‘alias Sheriff APC ‘and 8 for operating a private security service.
The accused persons are standing trial before the court on four counts charges ranging from operating a private security service without license, having in control of small arms without license and unlawful concealment of arms all contrary to the laws of Sierra Leone.
According to the charges, the accused persons on Wednesday 7th June 2023, at Bo Town were found operating a private security service by the name of SAMU-COCO security service without valid license.
The police further alleged that the first accused Alpha Sheriff and Alhassan Kamara were in possession of one grey and black Taurus arms revolver pistol with serial number ACB 569232(856) without license.
The charge sheet further indicates that the first accused Alpha Sheriff alias Sheriff APC unlawfully concealed the said revolver pistol.
Fifth Prosecution witness (PW5) Joseph Abu Bakarr Sanu led in evidence by Chief Superintendent of police Juan M S Bull said he is a police officer currently working with the Regional HQ Freetown, adding that he has been a Forensic fire ballistic expert for 15 years now.
He said he received a request for an examination on a grey and black pistol revolver, on which he did a physical examination on the said fire arm to determine whether it has been used or licensed.
” I then look at the caliber of ammunition of the fire arm use and also check to see whether gun short was fired”, he said.
The expert in addition said the maker and model of the gun is a rifle revolver ACD 856.
He said base on physical examination, the gun was functional and that he wrote a report on his findings .
The said report was produce and tender mark as exhibit CC1-2.
During cross examination of the witness by lawyer Joseph Fizgerald Kamara, he said the gun was a revolver pistol.
When he was asked whether he received the pistol with ammunition he said no and said it was unlicensed.
When he was asked as to whether he tests the pistol, he said all that he did was a general test.
The witness discloses that during the examination he found dirt on it but did not do any finger print test on it, adding that during the test he discovered that the pistol was in working order.
In conclusion said he does not know any of the accused.
At this stage, the Prosecution case was closed.
The defenses counsel lawyer Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara applied for a date to make his no case submission on behalf of the accused persons.
His application was granted by magistrate Mark Ngegba and the matter was adjourned to the 6th September 2023 whiles the accused persons were remanded in prison.