By: Audrey Raymonda John
Abubakar Jawara appeared before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Ross Road Court No.1 for allegedly robbing Isatu Kamara of her 120 pair of shoes, and other assorted times valued at seven thousand Leones (NLe7, 000).
Police Investigation revealed that the accused person immediately after the robbery used personal violence on Isatu Kamara.
The accused was arraigned before the court for the offence of conspiracy robbery with aggravation and assault occasioning actual bodily harm contrary to law.
Police records stated that the accused, in September 2023 at Jui Junction in Freetown, robbed the complainant and at the same assaulted her in a manner thereby causing her grievous bodily harm.
Formal witness Detective 5515 Maseray Kamara attached to the Anti-Robbery unit, Regional Ross Road Police Station recognized the complainant, Isatu Kamara including the accused.
The complainant said she recalled 5th September 2023.
On the said date, she was on duty at the said unit, when a case and an enquiry file from Grafton Police Station landed at the investigation branch.
She said the matter was assigned to her by her superior Detective Inspector Mohamed Z. Kabba for onward Investigation.
The file she said contained the complainant’s statements from and witnesses, the accused’s voluntary caution statement; a police media endorsed form and rubber.
The police medical endorsed form was produced and tendered to form part of the court’s records and the accused person was handed over to the exhibit clerk at the said division.
The accused’s voluntary caution statement was produced and tendered in evidence.
On 5th September 2023, Isatu added that she obtained an additional voluntary caution statement from the accused, which he admitted to it to be true and correct by affixing his right hand thumbprint, witnessed by Detective Sergeant 8618 Sesay F.
The accused’s voluntary caution statement was produced and tendered marked exhibits “C1-7”.
The witness said on 13 September 2023, she charged the accused with the offences of conspiracy, robbery with aggravation and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The charge statement was also produced and tendered marked exhibits “B1-3.”
When Magistrate Kekura granted an opportunity to the unrepresented accused to cross examine the witness, responding the accused told the court that he has no questions for the witness.
The accused was denied bail and sent on remand at the Male Correctional Centre on Pademba Road in Freetown.
The matter was adjourned to 23rd October, 2023 for further hearing.
Sergeant 9874 Memunatu Monica Turay is prosecuting the matter.