December 14, 2021
By Audrey John
The investigator on the ongoing Arms and Ammunitions case between the State and Nabieu Unisa Raymond Bangura, Hon Saidu Emmanuel Conteh and another, Joseph Collins, said the container in which the alleged pistols and assessories are found was shipped by Ocean Marine Shipping Company to be received by the consignee Arun Rahim.
The witness denied having verse knowledge as far as investigating container issues.
“My Lord this is my first experience to investigate such matters”, he stressed.
In another question put to him by defense counsel for first and second accused persons, the witness said importers are people importing goods into a country.
Taking a look at the documents before him, the witness said the importer is Ocean Marine Shipping Company and the receiver is Arun Rahim.
Perusing exhibit L2, the witness said the picture underneath is not a delivery order. He said the document contain a recipient name Sheriff Jalloh.
The witness further stated that their investigation uncovered that even though the document was with Sheriff Jalloh, the container was in possession of the Queen Elizabeth II Quay port.
The witness said physical possession of the items found in the vehicle was not with the first and second accused persons.
In the voluntary caution statement of first accused Unisa Raymond Bangura, the witness said he was cautioned for unlawful possession and conspiracy.
He said both accused denied the allegations levied against them during Investigation.
Challenging the charge statement, of the witness said they cautioned first accused when taking his statement before charging him.
“My Lord we levied eighteen count charges on all three accused persons in which first accused is answering to twelve”, he narrated.
The witness further narrated in cross examination that in totality of the entire charges he was cautioned and questioned for three offenses.
The witness in another question directed to him answered that the only evidence touching and concerning the container by way of documentary is exhibit L one to nine.
Looking at the cautioned statement of second accused Agnes Kutu Reffle, the witness confirmed that she denied the allegations put to her and cautioned and questioned for offenses similar to those of the other accused persons.
The witness said as a prudent and diligent investigator he has heard of the judges rule and read it.
Upon reaching that point, State prosecutor YI Sesay said he did not understand where the defense is going. He said he did not state his point by bringing out what he was about to ascertain. He said during the cause of the Investigation and the sea port, the team contacted one Patrick Murana but he did not talk to him personally.
The witness said the pistols were unassembled.
Counsel representing the third accused Brima Koroma sought the Bench leave for an adjourned date in order for the substantive counsel Lansana Dumbuya to come and cross examines the witness.
Magistrate Sahr Kekura adjourned the witness to Wednesday 15th of December 2021.