June 16, 2021
By: Francis F.M.Harding
First Police Witness (PW1), Laurence Larry Bassie a public servant who is working for the Office of National Security and the complainant residing at 105 Ibay Drive Regent have appeared for the second time before Magistrate Sahr Keikura of Court No 1 in Freetown on the 10th June, 2021 at the Pademba Court.
The accused persons Suliaman Konikay Tholley and Mohamed Kanikay Tholley are charged with Conspiracy and Larceny respectively.
According to police charged sheets, the accused persons are charged with two counts of Conspiracy and larceny contrary to the Laws of Sierra Leone. It is alleged in count one that the accused persons on diverse days between the 1st March, 2021 and the 7th March, 2021 at Konikay Market Tombo Park Junction Waterloo in the Waterloo Headquarter in Freetown conspired together and with other persons unknown to commit a felony to wit Larceny.
It is alleged in count two that the accused persons on diverse days between the 1st March, 2021 and the 7th March, 2021 stole one 30KVA Perking generator valued one hundred and twenty million Leones (Le120,000,000/00), one hoshizaki ice machine valued fifty million Leones (Le50,000,000/00), one A&V tons ice machine valued seventy one million Leones (Le71,000,000/00), one lotcost ice machine valued twenty five million Leones (Le25,000,000/00).
It is alleged in count three that Suliaman Konikay Tholley on the 19th March, 2021, at the Criminal Investigations Headquarter, Pademba Road in Freetown did an act to pervert justice by telling the police that Mohamed Kanikay Tholley was at Thaneneh and Loma Village, in the Tambaka Chiefdom Karina District, harvesting timbers and so he was not at the scene of crime knowing the same to be false.
Testifying in court the First Police Witness (PW1) Laurence Larry Bassie said he recognized the two accused persons in this case of conspiracy and larceny.
Witness said he recalled on the 1st March, 2020.
The Witness stated that he was in his office when he received a called from Waterloo that his 30KVA Perking generator valued at one hundred and twenty million Leones (Le120, 000, 000/00) has been stolen.
He said he then left his office for Waterloo. He said upon arrival at the scene he asked the second accused person for his 30KVA Perking generator and he replied that he is not the keeper of the generator.
Under cross examination, defense Lawyer C.Pujeh asked the witness that if he was not at the shop when the incident occurred. Witness said yes. Defense counsel asked between the 1st March, 2021 and the 7th March, 2021 if he did visit the shop. He replied in the negative.
Defense counsel asked if the shop has a manager. He said yes. Defense asked the witness if the manager handles the day-to-day affairs of the shop. Witness said yes.
Defence lawyer asks if the complainant visits the shop prior to the said incident. He said no.
Defense counsel asked witness how he delivered the 30KVA Perking generator. Witness said by a vehicle and crane. Defense counsel asked if he has security to manned the shop. He said no.
Lawyer C.Pujeh applied for bail pursuant to section 79 subsection (2) of the Criminal Procedure Act No.32 of 1965 and he said it is summary trial before the Magistrate. Appeared for the State is Lawyer Yusuf Issac Sesay while Lawyer C.Pujeh representing all the two accused persons. The matter has been adjourned to the 16th June, 2021.