By: Audrey Raymonda John
Twenty-five-years-old Lamin Bangura a cleaner made is first appearance before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba road court No.2 in Freetown on a count of Larceny contrary to section 13 (a) of the Larceny Act 1916
According to the particulars of offence on Friday 18th October 2024 at 32 Benjamin Lane, the western area in Freetown entered the dwelling house of pawel Andizel Kusmierzak a polish national of the above address and stole therein the sum of fifteen thousand United State Dollars and two and half 2 1/2 kilogram of gold all to the total value of four million eight hundred and forty eight Leones( 4,848) property of the said Pawel Andizel Kusmierzak.
When the charge was read and explained to the accused person no plea taken.
Assistant Superintendent of police Dialla Wellington led in Prosecution Witness number two DPC 14288.
Ibrahim Bangura a resident at Benny Lane Moyiba Kissy Brook, attached at the Anti Fraud Unit at the Criminal Investigation Department headquarters Pademba Road in Freetown, said he recognized the complainant and the accused person in the matter.
He recalled on the 18th October 2024 whilst on duty a team of Detectives headed by Sergeant 10587 Foday Jaiah and himself went to Hill Top Guesthouse at No.32 Benjamin Lane upon their arrival, they met the complainant who reported that his money and gold were stolen from his bed room. One of the cleaners was on the run and left the accused behind. He said they arrested the accused person and brought him to the police station. The matter was allocated to a team for investigators headed by him together with DPC 14846 T.J Gauja obtained statements from the complainant and his witness separately.
On the same date himself together with Sub Inspector Hassan Kargbo obtained voluntary caution statement from the accused person in Krio language which was recorded in English. At the conclusion of the statement, it was read over and explained to the accused person which he admitted it to be true and correct by afflicting his right hand thumbprint witness by sub inspector Hassan Kargbo and he signed as the recorder the statement was produce and tendered in court to form part of the court records
On the 20th October 2024 himself together with Sub Inspector Hassan Kargbo obtained additional caution statement from the accused person with the same procedure as in his previous statement. The additional statement was produced and tendered in court to form part of the court records.
On the 21st November 2024, he charged the accused person with the offence. He is standing trial on the charge statement was produced and tendered in court to form part of the court records. The witness said they received a memory stick containing the CCTV footage of the accused person and Dauda Koroma at the scene which they gave to the cyber unit.
The witness was cross examined by Randy Bangura Esq he renewed and adopted his previous bail applications on behalf of the accused person.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Bangura refused bail based on the nature of the offences charged and the referred of the address of the accused. The matter was adjourned to the 20th December 2024.