By: Audrey Raymonda John
Samuel Thap a bus conductor (apprentice) on Tuesday 4th April 2023, made his first appearance before Magistrate Hadiru K Daboh of Court No. 3 Ross Road Freetown for destroying 6 posters of President Bio.
The accused Samuel Thap is charged on a count of malicious damage contrary to Section 51 of the Malicious Damage Act 1861.
According to the particulars of offence, the accused Samuel Thap on Friday 24 March 2023, at Bai Bureh Road, Ferry Junction, Freetown, maliciously damaged 9 Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) bill boards, each valued at one thousand new Leones, totalling nine thousand Leones, properties of the Sierra Leone People’s Party.
When the charge was read to the accused he pleaded not guilty.
Deputy Superintendent of police Fatmata Kuyateh lead Prosecution witness number one John Gbondo Margai in his testimony told the Court that he lives at No. 22 Jalloh Terrace and he is a Clearing and Forwarding Agent.
He said he knows the accused in this case and recalled on the 24th March 2023, he was along Ferry Junction Freetown, when he the accused destroyed 9 bill boards of Sierra Leone People’s Party and he call for his arrest which he was taken to Ross Road Police Station, and he made a statement.
The accused is not represented as he did the cross examination himself.
Meanwhile Magistrate Daboh refused bail and sent the accused person to the male correctional center in Freetown matter adjourned to the 11th April 2023 for further hearing.