By Audrey John
21yrs Old Kekeh Rider Alpha Thaimu Conteh made another appearance before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Pademba road court No.1 in Freetown on two count charges
The accused was charged with the offences of wounding contrary to section 20 of the offences against the person Act 1816 and assault occasioning actual bodily harm contrary to section 47 the offences against the person Act 1916
According to the particulars of offence on Wednesday 17th November 2021 at Bombay Street the western area in Freetown maliciously wounded Peter Momoh Lumeh and on count two at the same place and date assaulted the said complainant.
Police Constable 19001 Peter Lumeh, a presidential body guard has contradicted himself in cross examination, by giving a positive answer to a question put to him by defense counsel that with the hand of her client fettered, the accused Alpha Thaimu Conteh did not do what was alleged.
The twenty one years old was charged with the offences of wounding contrary to section 20 of the offences against the person Act 1816 and assault occasioning actual bodily harm contrary to section 47 the offences against the person Act 1916
According to the particulars of offence on Wednesday 17th November 2021 at Bombay Street the western area in Freetown maliciously wounded Peter Momoh Lumeh and on count two at the same place and date assaulted the said complainant.
Led in his examination in chief earlier by Inspector Kadie M. Taylor the witness recognized the accused person in the dock.
He said on Wednesday 17th November 2021 he was around Fourah Bay Road, via Bombay Street around 7:00 to 7:30 driving and as soon as he turn around, the accused person who was driving a tricycle (Keke) with three passengers on board drove him badly.
The witness said he told the accused to keep to his lane but he responded that he has no other place to branch because it is one lane.
“My lord I came down from my vehicle and introduced himself to the accused person as an officer and further advised him to keep to the corner but he refused”, the witness stated.
Explaining further, the witness said some of the traders selling along that area commented that those black Jeeps are the ones they are using to kidnap people.
He said he was trying to negotiate the road when a large numbers of people rushed at him; one of the boys broke the handle and glass of the vehicle, and tried to escape with the tricycle.
“My lord at the scene, traders were shouting from all angle ’kidnappers’ ‘kidnappers’ and started throwing missiles on me,” he narrated.
The witness said he was rescued by his brother in-law and two others who escorted him to Eastern Police station where he reported the matter.
He said after making the report, statement was obtained from him and he was issued police medical form to go for examination and treatment at Kingtom police hospital.
He said he was given five stitches on his head and was referred to Connaught Hospital where he was reexamined.
In conclusion, he said the endorsed medical form was later taken to the police Eastern police station.
Cross examination by the accused person, the witness said at the time they collided he was at the right lane.
The accused put another question to the witness which he had wanted to manipulate, but was admonished by Magistrate Sahr Kekura to be honest to the court.
Magistrate Kekura said when he was testifying he did not tell the court that the accused person called people to beat him.
Rising from the bar, defense counsel I.T Bundu announcing her representation on behalf of the accused. In continuation of cross examination by defense counsel, the witness said over one hundred and fifty people ran after him and he was able to identify the accused person.
In another question put to him, the witness said he was fettered and at that time, and was not able to do all what was alleged.
The Prosecution had wanted her witness to change that response but the Bench had already recorded it.
At the end of cross examination, defense counsel renewed her application for bail by adopting the previous Bail applications on behalf of the accused person
However Magistrate Kekura refused the accused bail and ordered him to be remanded at the male correctional center in Freetown matter was adjourned for the prosecution to continue.