By: Audrey John
The firearm expert Chief Inspector Joseph Abu Bakar Sanu who examined the alleged arms to have been possessed by the Ex-Military Personal Joseph Sheku Jalloh yesterday Thursday 22nd September, 2022 testified in Court.
The accused Joseph Sheku Jalloh and six others were under preliminary investigation before Magistrate Mark Ngegba of Pademba Road Court No.1 for nine counts charges ranging from possession of small arm without Licence, carrying offensive weapon, threatening language, obstruction, to riotous conduct all contrary to law.
According to the particulars of offence, on Wednesday 8th June, 2022 at Sambaia Bendugu, Tonkolili District in the North East of Sierra Leone, the first accused Joseph Sheku Jalloh was found in possession of one small arm to wit short gun without licence.
On count two, the second accused was found carrying offensive weapons to wit cutlass and knife.
Police further alleged that the six and seven accused threatened to burn down the house of Honourable Paramount Chief Alhaji Bamba Foray Jalloh, count seven states that the fourth accused obstructed the Sierra Leone Police when executing their lawful duties, while count nine added that the accused behave in a riotous manner.
Testifying, the Ninth Prosecution Witness (PW9) Chief Inspector Joseph Abu Bakar Sanu a forensic firearm examiner attached to the scientific support department at the Criminal investigation Department (CID) Headquarters. He disclosed that he has been a forensic firearm examiner for about 13 years.
Highlighting his duties, the firearm examiner said he examined firearms and ammunition components such as cartridge cases, shell, fire bullet that are used in suspected crime, adding that he trained firearm handling officers on the proper way of using it and amongst others.
According to PW9, the general tools used for examination of firearms were magnifying glasses, camera that has big cells which is about 15 meters, a stereo electron microscope, and very good eyes.
He recalled 15th June, 2022 when he received from DPC 13835 Issa Sesay one locally made short gun to examine it for functional ability and whether it was fire and determine it calibre.
He said that he did a physical examination on it and the short gun was subjected whether it parts were correlative and it defence part.
He furthered that examination was done on what was entails into firearms.
He said at the end of the examination, he made a certain observation, they label short gun as exhibit A, it was a locally made short gun with12 cage calibre that is in good working order and found fouled.
The firearm examiner said that In their conclusion, they found out that it has not been cleaned since last fired, adding that when combined with 12 cage calibre cartridge and it engage in actions.
PW9 said he reduced the findings into a report, which was produced and tendered in court.
The Witness identified the short gun in court and said the serial No.14884.
Under cross examination by Lead Defense Counsel Josrph F. Kamara, PW9 confirmed that he conducted a critical examination on the said gun.
He said it was the making of the said gun that seems to be local, adding that the latch on the said gun was not locally manufactured.
Responding further, PW9 said that he did not look for fingerprint, adding that it was not his responsibility to look for fingerprint to ascertain the owner of the said gun.
He stated that anyone can assemble the said if he she has the idea.
PW9 confirmed that the environment can negatively impact on a shot gun, adding that the said gun is functional.
PW9 said that it was not to his knowledge that the mark on the said gun is registered with the small arms commission.
At this stage, Defence Lawyer applied to the Bench for a recalled of PW9 when they open their Defence in order to discredit the evidence of him, but Magistrate Ngegba rejected his application.
However, the state Counsel submitted to the Bench that there was no further evidence on count eight which is riotous conduct, and Magistrate Ngegba therefore discharged the accused on that count.
Meanwhile, the accused were refused bail again after the Defense counsel renewed his previous bail application, while the matter comes up again on Monday 26th September, 2022.