March 5, 2021
By: Audrey .R. John
40 years old Osman Conteh has been arraigned before Magistrate Sahr Keikura of Pademba Road Court in Freetown on the 3rd March, 2021. He is charged with the offense of Sacrilege Contrary to section 24 of the Larceny Act 1916.
The charge sheet alleges that on the 10th of January 2021 at Redeem Church of Christ of Joseph Palace at 12 Beoku Lane Main Motor Road Congo Cross, Freetown, accused stole three thousand Watts Amplifiers valued three million eight hundred thousand Leones (Le 3,800,000,00); Sixteen Channel Mixer valued Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Leones (Le 2,500,000,00) Six Micro Phones and Three Receivers valued One Million and Fifty Thousand Leones (Le 1,050,000,00) One Key Board Power Chord valued Eighty Thousand Leones (80,000,00), Six Jack Pins valued one hundred and fifty thousand Leones (150,000,00), One Cross Over Wheel and Two Jack Pins valued Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Leones (250,000,00), Two Mixer Chord valued One Hundred and Fifty Thousand (Le 150,000,00) and Two Connecting Chord valued One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Leones all to the total Sum of Eight Million and Eighty Thousand Leones (8,080,000,00), properties of the said church.
During proceeding, the witness David Kamara, testified that he is residing at No. 9 College road Congo Cross, Freetown and works as a security officer, attached to Council Security Company.
The witness said he is also the operations officer; some of his duties involve checking on all guards at their various locations. He confirmed that he is also the contact person when there are issues with clients. “I know the accused person as my colleague security,” he stated.
He said in court: “I recalled on the 10th day of January 2021. On that day I was in church when I received a text message from my colleague James Lewis. Upon receipt of the message sent to me at 5 Beoku Lane drive were the accused person was deployed at Redeemed Christian Church. I spoke to one Pastor Mustapha who gave me certain information.”
He identified one table that was inside the church that had the amplifier on it. The Pastor told me that some microphones got missing, he then asked the accused person who was on guard at that time about the incident, but he denied knowledge of any happenings.
“I and the accused decided to head for the Police Station at Congo Cross where statements were obtained from us”.
ASP Barrie is prosecuting the matter that has been adjourned to the 11th March, 2021.