By: Audrey Raymonda John
The presiding magistrate of Ross Road court number one, Sahr Kekura has ordered Osman Santigie Kamara a driver of Sierra Leone Red Cross and two others to be remanded at the male correctional center despite the application for bail made by their lawyer.
The accused persons, Osman Santigie Kamara, and two mechanics, Alie Koroma and Farah Conteh were arraigned before Magistrate Sahr Kekura for allegedly stealing at Sierra Leone Red Cross Society (SLRCS) in Waterloo.
According to the police, the stolen items which includes dashboards, and other valuables worth thousands of Leones.
The accused were arraigned before the court on ten counts charges of conspiracy and other related offences contrary to law.
Police records showed that the accused, on Friday 22nd September, 2023, at the above-mentioned place in Waterloo conspired with unknown persons to commit a crime, to wit, larceny.
On the same date and place, it was alleged that the accused, stole from three vehicles with their registration numbers AMD 726, AJN and AHI 844 certain properties worth one hundred thirty-six thousand, two hundred and sixty Leones.
Led in evidence by Assistant Superintendent of police Osman Mohamed Bangura, the witness Amidu Morlai Kamara residing at No. 11b Leicester road working for Franceair Security Company recognized all three accused person in respect of the matter.
He said on Friday 22nd September 2023, he was on duty at No.4 Barracks Road Murray town he received a call from one of his supervisor Mr Umaru Bangura to replace one of his colleague at the Sierra Leone Red Cross. He said his supervisor also gave him information about two people who were caught at the Sierra Leone Red Cross wire house at Waterloo.
The witness said upon receiving the information, he immediately left for the crime scene at Waterloo and on arrival he met the two suspects Alie Koroma and Fallah Conteh and when he questioned them; they responded that they were sent there by one Mr. Usman.
Explaining further, his supervisor briefly identified the two accused persons and they explained to him how they were arrested.
Upon reaching that point the prosecutor Assistant Superintendent of police Osman Mohamed Bangura seeks for a short adjourned date in order for his to get better conference with his witness.
Defense counsel applied for bail for and on behalf of his client citing section 79 of the Criminal Procedure Act of 1965. Among other things defense counsel said his client will not jump bail neither interferes with the prosecution. He further canvases the discretion of the Bench to admit his client to bail.
Responding, the prosecutor, informed the court that he has all the necessary documents in opposition to bail.
The prosecutor also informed the Bench that there are other suspects connecting them to the matter who are presently on the run.
Having heard the application for bail and the objection raised Magistrate Sahr Kekura said he has the feeling that if granted bail they will interfere with the Prosecution. He also stated that the first accused is a driver for the Sierra Leone Red Cross.
Magistrate Sahr Kekura adjourned the matter to Tuesday 8th of November 2023 for the Prosecution to continue. The accused persons are ordered to be remanded at the male correctional center.