By: Audrey Raymonda John
An eyewitness Francis Bangura took the witness stand and explained on oath how one Yeabu Conteh and her husband Mohamed Kanu unroofed the zinc of their tenant (Francis Bangura) subjecting him to bullying.
Both accused persons, Yeabu Conteh and Mohamed Kanu are before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Ross Road Court No.1 for the preliminary hearing for conspiracy to commit felony and malicious damage contrary to section 51 of the malicious damage Act of 1861.
It was alleged on count one that on Wednesday 25th January 2023, at No.10 Harding Street Wellington, both accused conspired together with other persons unknown to commit the aforesaid crime.
On count two, the police alleged that on that same date and place, both accused persons maliciously damaged eighteen corrugated iron sheets and other properties worth seven hundred and ninety thousand Leones belonging to complainant Francis Bangura.
Led in evidence by Chief Inspector Isatu Bangura, the witness recognized complainant Francis Bangura as his brother and the accused as his landlady.
He said on the 25th of January 2023, he was at home when her daughter informed him. The complainant has gone to the police station to make a report. He said the child further informed him that the accused came with a carpenter who was vandalizing the zinc from his apartment of Francis Bangura.
The witness said upon arriving at the scene, he met the accused gathering the zinc and raining motherly invectives.
The witness further told the court that he even televised the incident and later he was called to make a statement at the Kissy Police Station.
Cross-examination by defence counsel Randy Bangura, the witness said the property on which zinc was unroofed was owned by the first and second accused persons as landlady and landlord. He denied having knowledge of any agreement of maintenance between the complainant and the accused persons.
The witness also said he was sent to witness the crime scene and on arrival, he took photographs of what he saw.
Before the adjourned date, the prosecutor applied for a subpoena to be sent to the formal witness which was granted by the Bench.
Magistrate Sahr Kekura adjourned the matter to the 18th of May for the next witness.