September 20, 2021
By Audrey John
Manish Kumar Tyagi an Indian national was on Friday 17 September 2021, dragged to court before Magistrate Mark Ngegba of Pademba road court No 2 for an alleged electricity theft.
The accused was charged on one count of illegal abstraction of electricity supply contrary to section 68 (1a) of the national electricity Act No 16 of 2011.
According to the indictment, the police alleged that the accused on Thursday 9 September 2021 at No 82/88 Kissy dockyard Freetown dishonestly abstract electricity supply.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the offence charge.
Exhibit Clerk Detective Sergeant 1516 Abu Conteh in his testimony said he is attached to crime writers unit at the Criminal Investigation Department Head Quarters in Freetown.
He said his duties include the safe keeping of all exhibit relating to cases reported at CID headquarters for further investigation and to produce such in court when required.
The witness said on 16 September 2021 whiles on duty at the said office, Detective Inspector Jalloh A W attached to the EDSA unity at CID HQ handed over to him one old black EDSA meter with serial No 5263378 with a black and white cable attached to it with a name written on it as exhibit Manish Kuma.
He said he took possession of the said exhibit and registered it against serial No 185/ 2021 which he said has since been in police custody.
The said exhibit was produced and tendered in Court.
Lead defence counsel, Sharon Conteh applied for bail on behalf of the accused noting that he is a reputable man who has lived in Sierra Leone for the last 16 years. She said the accused is currently on medical treatment for 90 days.
The prosecutor ASP Hawa Bah in reply did not object to bail.
Magistrate Mark Ngegba however granted the accused bail due to his medical report in the sum of 150 million and one surety in like sum who must produce a proof of identity as a Sierra Leonean resident within western area.
He added that the accused must surrender his entire traveling document to the court, adding that the bail should be approved by the Deputy Acting Registrar whiles the matter was adjourned to 28 September 2021.