By: Audrey Raymonda John
Detective Police Sergeant 8576 Issa Kamara tendered assorted security items in court on Wednesday, September 25th, 2024, before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court No. against Pastor Fatoma Tommy Jusu.
The accused, Pastor Fatoma Tommy Jusu, is before the court on one count of Operating Private Security without a valid license contrary to section 31(8) of the National Security and Central Intelligence Act, 2023.
According to the indictment, the accused was found operating a private security agency without a valid license from the Office of National Security on July 5, 2024, at #59c Leicester Road Freetown.
The witness, in his examination in chief led by state counsel Yusuf Isaac Sesay, said he is attached to the exhibits office at CID HQ Freetown.
He said some of his roles and responsibilities include ensuring the registration and safekeeping of all exhibits related to the matter under investigation.
He recalled 15 July 2014, adding that he was on duty when DPC 19841 Moseray M S, attached to the crime prevention unit CID Head Quarters, handed over the following exhibits to him for safekeeping.
The items he said include 8 Security lights, nine old T-shirts, two old trousers, 12 polos with discretion Be careful Worldwide, three old security hand set, application forms in a red file, location survey report, a payment voucher, security guard contact form, employment guarantor form, service contact form, master slip, invoice, an exercise book containing names of securities, two old roles of tap, quantity of badge of green white and blue flag, three badges of security ranks and a receipt book.
Upon receipt of these items, he said he registered them on the court exhibits book against serial number 068/2024 and had since held them in his custody.
All the aforementioned items were produced and tendered to form part of the court records. Defense counsel Chernor Kamara cross-examined the witness.
The prosecutor informed the court that the case was for the prosecution, and they relied on the evidence adduced before the court.
Defense lawyer Kamara, in reply, said they relied on the accused’s statement to the police.
Having listened to both sides, Magistrate Bangura redrawn the file for ruling and adjourned the matter to Wednesday, 2nd October 2024, for ruling. The accused was refused bail and remanded in prison.
