By: Audrey Raymonda John
Deputy Superintendent of Police (ASP) Tamba Kanu of Ross Road Police Station, Harbor Division has narrated how he and his team arrested Alie Yansaneh, who was in possession of a green pair of scissors including four others that were pelting stones into the Trac-centre Playing Filed during an annual sporting activities organized by the principal of Municipal Secondary School.
According to the police file, it was alleged that on the day in question, Alie Yansaneh was unlawfully found in possession of a pair of green scissors.
The charge sheet revealed that the first, third, fourth and fifth accused were found behaving in a disorderly manner.
DSP Kanu made this revelation in his testimony before Magistrate Sahr Kekuar of Ross Road Court No.1 in the ongoing matter involving Mohamed Kamara, Alie Yansaneh, John Conteh, Ishmael Kamara and Ibrahim Kamara who are charged with the offenses of carrying offensive weapon, disorderly behavior and riotous conduct contrary to the laws of Sierra Leone.
Led in evidence by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) O.M. Bangura, prosecution witness (PW) 1, DSP Tamba Kanu told the bench that he recognized the accused and could recall on Friday 3 February 2023.
He said on that day, he was on duty at the aforesaid police division in Freetown, when the principal of Municipal Secondary School called and asked him to provide security for them during their annual sporting activities at Trace-centre Playing Field in Kissy Dock-Yard, Freetown, which he does with the consent of the Local Unit Commander of the said police division.
‘My Lord, I and my team left for the above mentioned playing field and on arrival I saw the school pupils dressed in their sporting attires and i instructed my team to started conducting patrol within the field”, he stated.
He said during the patrol, he saw an unknown man in the midst of the pupils who identified himself as Alie Yansaneh residing at No 27 Blacks Hall Road in Freetown, whom he ordered his team to search.
The witness said during the search, a pair of green scissors was found in his possession. He,the suspect was arrested and convoyed to the Ross Road Police Division for further interrogrations.
DSP Kanu narrated to the court that around 17:00 hours, he got information that people were pelting stones into the Tracecentre Playing Filed in order to halt the sporting activities.
‘Upon receiving the information, I and my team again left for the crime scene, upon our arrival, we saw people pelting stones and upon our arrival, they ran away”, he said.
The police witness said he chased them with his men and were able to apprehend first, third, fourth and fifth accused and they were taken to the Ross Road Police Division for questioning.
The witness said when they concluded the operation, he wrote a comprehensive report, which was produced and tendered in court to form part of the court’s records.
Mr Kanu summed up his evidence that the accused were investigated and subsequently charge to court with the offence of carrying offensive weapon, disorderly behavior and riotous conduct.
A.A Bangura representing the accused conducted cross examination on behalf of the accused. Lawyer Banguar adopted his previous application for bail on behalf of his client and vowed the safe conduct of the accused.
Magistrate Keikura granted ten thousand Leones (NLe10, 000) bail with a surety who should reside in Freetown. Bail should be approved by the Deputy Master and Registrar. The matter was adjourned to 23 February 2023.