By: Audrey Raymonda John
Mohamed Turay, a labourer, Ishmael Sesay, a security guard, Charles F. Yonjai, an IT technician, and Sahr Kamanda, a businessman, appeared once again before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Pademba Road Court No.1 in Freetown on three count charges: Conspiracy, store-breaking and larceny, and receiving stolen goods.
According to the particulars of the offence, on the 12th of September 2023, at the ECSL Wellington Branch in the western area of Freetown, the accused persons conspired with others unknown to commit a felony, namely store-breaking and larceny.
On the same date and place, they allegedly broke into the store of the ECSL office and stole one hundred and forty-two tablets valued at four million one hundred and ten Kenyan Shillings, equivalent to millions of Leones. Additionally, the fourth accused person is charged with receiving eleven ECSL tablets valued at three hundred and eighteen thousand five hundred and thirty-eight Kenyan Shillings, equivalent to hundreds of thousands of Leones, from Mohamed Turay, knowing them to have been stolen.
When the charges were read and explained to the accused persons, no plea was taken.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Ibrahim S. Mansaray led Prosecution Witness Number Two, Elizabeth Luseni, an OSD police officer attached to the main wire house at the ECSL office in Wellington. She recognized the first accused person and testified that, between the 1st and 12th of September 2023, while on duty, she encountered the first accused person holding a ballot box containing white boxes. When questioned, he claimed that Mr Villa had sent him.
Later that evening, she observed him at the window with a phone light, searching for something. Upon questioning, he stated he was looking for something, leading to his arrest. Subsequently, tablets were discovered in the white box.
During cross-examination, the witness admitted not seeing the first accused person inside the room but affirmed knowing the first and second accused persons as ECSL workers. The witness also acknowledged not having information about the fourth accused person.
The defense counsel applied, under Section 190, Subsection 2 of the Criminal Procedure Act No.32 of 1965, for the witness’s statement to be made available. The prosecutor objected, stating that the defense had already commenced cross-examination. Magistrate Kekura ruled in favor of the defense, allowing the application to proceed.
The defense counsel then renewed bail applications, but Magistrate Kekura refused bail, remanding the accused persons to the male correctional facility in Freetown. The matter was adjourned to the 31st of January 2024 for further hearing.
