By: Audrey Raymonda John
Forty-one years old Munda Fortune, a driver; thirty-five years old Osman Kamara, a driver; thirty-two Abu Bakarr Bangura, a Petty trader; and Twenty-nine years old Godwin Thomas, a Petty trader, made another appearance before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba road court No.2 in Freetown on three count charges to wit Larceny contrary to section 2 of the Larceny Act 1916, Accessory after the fact contrary to section 35 of the Larceny Act 1916 and Receiving stolen goods contrary to section 33 (1) of the Larceny Act 1916.
According to the particulars of the offense on Wednesday, 24th July 2024, at Lumley, the western area in Freetown, did steal from the vehicle with registration number ESQ 730 one black pack bag containing one grey Apple laptop computer, Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus, and other assorted items equivalent to the total value of one hundred and sixty-six thousand and sixty-eight Leones (166,068) and other properties of values Cyrus Lusenie.
Count two further stated that on the same date and place, the 2nd and 3rd accused persons, well knowing that Munda Fortune had stolen one grey Apple laptop computer valued at forty-two thousand and eighty-four Leones(42,084), thereafter received comfort, maintained, and assisted the said Munda Fortune in selling the same to Godwin Thomas Alias Jay Nice, property of Cyrus Lusenie.
Count three further stated that on the same date and place, the third accused person did receive one grey Apple laptop computer valued at forty-two thousand and eighty-four Leones (42,084), the property of Cyrus Lusenie, Knowing it to have been stolen.
When the charges were read and explained to the accused, they pleaded not guilty.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Sorie Conteh, lead Prosecution witness number one, Lawyer Cyrus Lusenie residing at Babadorie Lumley, a lawyer and civil servant working at the Ministry of Finance, recognized the accused persons in the dock. He recalled on the 24th of July, 2024, he went to Lumley and packed his Toyota 4runner Jeep with registration number ESQ 730 by a provision shop opposite Chicken Town Lumley. He said the vehicle was locked and entered the shop to buy provisions. The witness said that before he saw the first accused person around the witness, his grey bag was in the vehicle’s back seat, containing one grey Apple laptop computer, three thousand dollars, and six thousand Leones in physical cash.
He furthered that the bag contained some government negotiation documents, his passport, laptop charger, two Samsung mobile phones, and other items, all to the total value of (Le 166,68,00).
When he reported the matter to the police, the third accused was arrested during the investigation; all accused were witnesses. The first accused person told the police officer that they had used a small torch light to see through the vehicle. They opened the vehicle with a master key they had made.
The witness said the first accused was arrested in Bo. The Fourth accused person was arrested with his computer, and he deleted all the work he had done for thirteen years as a Civil servant and a lawyer. The witness said he had been stuck because the World Bank negotiations were on, and he had a deadline, and they were at the computer. The first accused threw the documents that were inside his bag inside the gutter and were destroyed. He later made a statement to the police.
The accused persons cross-examined the witness.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Bangura refused bail and sent the accused to the male correctional facility in Freetown. The matter was adjourned to November 5, 2024.