By: Audrey Raymonda John
Detective sergeant 2192 Princess Kadiatu Turay attached to the operations unit at the Criminal Investigation Department took the witness stand and narrated how she investigate Mamoud Barrie and others who were alleged to have stolen properties worth over ninety Million Leones.
Led in her examination in chief by Assistant Superintendent of Police Christiana Davis Cole, she said on the 19th of June 2021, she was on duty when complainant Hawa Olive Brima reported a case of larceny against both accused persons.She said the properties highlighted by the complainant total ninety-eight million Leones.
The police witness said upon receiving the report statement was obtained from the complainant and later from the first accused Mamoud Barrie.She said the first accused was cautioned and questioned in Krio and at the end he admitted it to be true and correct, signed by affixing his right-hand thumbprint.
The witness produced the cautioned statement of the first accused, tendered it and it was marked as exhibit B one to fourteen in respect of the matter.Explaining further, the witness said during the investigation, the first accused told them some of the properties are sold told to the second accused Alpha Fayia Brima.
She said the second accused was arrested and brought to the station and a statement was obtained from him by Detective Sergeant Foday.In continuation of her examination in chief, the police witness said on the 30th of June 2021 first accused Mamoud Barrie was charged with the offence of larceny. His charge statement was produced and tendered as an exhibit.The witness said on that same day the second accused was also charged with the offenceof receiving stolen goods.
After her examination in chief, the accused persons who are unrepresented cross-examined the witness. Responding to the second accused she said the first accused told her that he sold some of the properties to him.The witness also confirmed that they were not able to track the other people who bought the balance items but they retrieved what they met in the hands of the second accused.
At the end of the cross-examination, the matter was adjourned to the 13th of October 2022 for the other witness to be a dock.The first accused was ordered to be remanded at the male correctional centre after informing the Bench that he will on opportune to attend court on the adjournment date because he has to travel.
