September 9, 2021
By: Francis F.M. Harding
The Sixth Police Witness (PW6) Detective Police Officer 11143 Bangura J. who was formerly attached to the Moyamba Police Station now attached to the Shegie Police Station has testified before Justice M.M. Sesay (JA) on the 7th September, 2021 for alleged 14 counts charges at the High Court of Sierra Leone in Freetown for an alleged case of robbery, conspiracy, rape and sexual violence.
According to police charged sheets, the accused persons are charged with robbery, rape and sexual violence which are contrary to the Laws of Sierra Leone. It is alleged in count one that the accused persons on the 19th May, 2019 broke and entered the dwelling apartments of Martha Lahai, Rev. Jean Lahai and stole properties worth millions of Leone and rape and sexual violated, Martha Lahai.
Testifying in court, PW6 said he knew Rev. Jean Lahai, Martha Lahai and the accused persons in the matter. Witness continued that he was on duty at the Moyamba Police Station when Rev. Jean Lahai, Martha Lahai and others came to the station and reported an alleged sexual assault and robbery matter.
Bangura said after the complaint had been made they issued police medical request forms to the victims. He said on the 19th March, 2019 the victims returned with the endorsed police medical report. Witness said himself, DPC.12152 Bangura S. and DPC. 14526 Bawah S and other police officers obtained statement from the alleged victims. PW6 said himself and other police officers visited the scene of crime and took snap shots, which were later developed them into photos.
PW6 said ASP Richard Yambasu arrested the first accused person together with one motorcycle and a mobile phone, two machetes and later the accused person was handed over to the police for further investigation. Bangura re-identified exhibits U1 & U2 (cutlasses), V1& V2 (motorcycle) and T 1 (mobile phone). Witness continued that on the same day, ASP Yambasu , Joseph Bendu, and other police officers arrested the 2nd , 4th ,5th ,7th,10th,11th,12th & 16th accused persons at the check point and they handed to them for further investigations.
PW6 added that on the same day Mohamed Tholley, James, Ishmael, Lahai arrested the 13th, 6th, 8th, 9th, 13th, 14th, & 15th all accused persons were handed over to them for further investigations. PW6 said he prepared consent search for the sixth accused person. Witness said that DPC 14526 and other police officers took alone the sixth accused person to conduct a search in his premise and during the search one cutlass was discovered under the matrass, two itel mobile phones, one black DVD, one Sierra Leone Commercial Bank ID card bearing the name Ansumana Charles.
Witness said himself and DPC Bawah S. obtained voluntarily cautioned statement from the 6th accused person after which the interview was interrupted by angry youth who stormed the police station and demanded that the police should handover the accused person to them to deal with them after which ASP Yambasu and other police officers dispatched the youth and they resume their interview. Bangura said the sixth accused person refused to continue making statement and even failed to sign. He said a certificate was prepared for the sixth accused person which was signed by the accused person and other police officers.
Under cross examination, defense Lawyer Komba Kanu asked the witness if they find out the name of the person on the ID card. Witness said yes. Defense counsel asked witness if the sixth accused person tell his the owner of the phone. Witness said yes. Defense counsel asked witness if he read the said statement and explained over to him. Witness said yes. Defense counsel asked witness how you arrive at those names that are standing trial in Court. Witness said ASP Yambasu arrived at those names.
Representing the State was Lawyer JAK. Sesay while Lawyer Komba Kanu is representing all the accused persons. The matter has been adjourned to the 21st September, 2021.