By: Audrey John
Magistrate Sahr Keikura questioned sergeant 9462 George a police witness as to why he charged the other three accused persons that were involved in the theft matter at the UNICEF Ambassador`s resident when they have produced the stolen items and payed for the ones that are unaccounted for.
Responding to magistrate Sahr Keikura, the police witness who stood in the witness dock responded that he charged because of the items listed at the back of the indictment.
Magistrate Sahr Keikura said he should not have done that because they are just receivers and not directly involved on the matter at hand.
The key accused, Ibrahim Dundas who happens to be a servant of complainant Ishmael Beah, was alleged to have stolen certain properties worth millions of Leones which he sold to the other three accused persons.
Police officers who visited the residents of second, third and fourth accused persons during Investigations with search warrants explained in the witness stand that all three accused persons produced some of the stolen items and paid for the others unaccounted for.
After he narrated they bought them from first accused Ibrahim Dundas.
Cross examined by defense counsel JM Jengo, the witness said he is not aware of receipt of payment of stolen items paid for.
The witness also denied having knowledge of the sales of some of the items handed over to complainant as exhibits.
He confirmed that the items can only be sold if they are not the subject matter of the case before the court.
Upon answering that question, defense counsel pronounced his cross examination close on behalf of first accused.
Cross examined on behalf of second, third and fourth accused by defense counsel CI Pateh Bah, the witness said during Investigation, second third and fourth accused told him that his relative from the United States of America gave him the items for sale.
In another question put to him, the witness denied having knowledge of receipts issued by complainant to the second, third and fourth accused persons after paying for items that are unaccounted for.
An extract on the charge sheet where complainant signed for payment made by second third and fourth accused persons for the unaccounted items was read by the witness on the order of defense counsel CI Pateh Bah for clarification.
After reading that, magistrate Sahr Keikura asked him why they charged the accused persons after they have paid for the items when complainant has received payment.
The witness stood mute in the dock.
At the end of cross examination, magistrate Sahr Kekura adjourned the matter to the 8th of June 2022.
