September 6, 2021
By Audrey John
Abu Conteh a detective Sergeant 1516 has tendered ten (10) live rounds bullets in court in the ongoing preliminary investigation into an alleged unlawful possession of arms and ammunition against Alpha Gobeh.
The accused Alpha Gobeh made his second appearance in court before magistrate Sahr Kekura of Pademba road court No 1 and was arraigned on two counts charges ranging from Escaping from lawful custody and unlawful possession of arms and ammunition contrary to the laws of Sierra Leone.
According to the particulars of offence for count one; the police alleged that the accused on Monday 4 January 2021, at OSD Head Quarters Freetown being a suspect under custody for the offence of robbery with aggravation did escape from lawful custody.
The police further alleged in count two that the accused on Tuesday 13 April 2021, at Wilkinson road Freetown was found in possession of ten rounds of ammunition without licenses.
The witness detective Sergeant 1516 Abu Conteh an exhibit clerk attached to the crime writers unit in further testimony said his duties are to ensure the safe keeping of exhibit brought to their office relating to cases that have been reported and investigated at CID HQ and to produce such exhibit in court when required.
He continued that on the 27 July 2021, whiles on duty at CID, Detective Sergeant 8709 Kamara S I attached to operational unity CID HQ, handed over to him ten (10) live rounds cartridges as exhibits in respect of the case.
He noted that he took possession of the said exhibits and recorded them in the exhibit book as against serial number 146/2021 and since then it has been in the custody of the police.
The said exhibit was produced and tendered in court respectively to form part of the prosecution`s case marked as exhibit D1 -10.
In cross examination by lawyer Teddy Koroma, the witness said all what he did was to secure the said exhibit for safe keeping and he is not in the position to tell as to whom the cartridges were from.
He also disclosed to the court that, he was not given any samples of finger print to show whose custody the cartridges belong to.
Lawyer Teddy Koroma renewed his application for bail on behalf of the accused person.
The prosecutor ASP Aminatu Daboh maintained his objection to bail.
Magistrate Sahr Kekura however refused Bail and remanded the accused person in prison and the matter was adjourned to Monday 6 September 2021.