August 27, 2021
By: Francis F.M. Harding
Third Police Witness (PW3) Lahai Samura and a business man has on the 24th August, 2021 testified before Justice John Bosco Allieu at the High Court in Freetown, 2021. The accused person Saidu Kanu Alias ‘Die’ is charged with two count charges to wit robbery and conspiracy contrary to section 23 (2) of the Larceny Act, 1916.
According to police charged sheets, the accused person is charged with two counts charges. It is alleged in count one that the accused person Saidu Kanu ‘alias Die’ a laborer and a stone mining on the 15th August, 2020 at Freetown, conspired with other persons unknown to commit a felony to wit robbery. It is alleged in count two that the accused person of the above date robbed Yusif Mansaray of Four techno Mobile Phones valued six million Leones (Le6,000,000/00), one ZT Mobile Phone, valued one hundred and seventy five thousand Leones (Le175,000/00) and other items.
PW3 said he knew the accused person, and recalled the 15th August, 2020 as he was at his business place at about 2:00 AM his wife called him through mobile phone and rely to him that a thief has break and entered his shop and catered away with everything.
Witness added that he later called the complainant to inform him that a thief has entered his place of business, but the complainant said he could not come to the scene at that time because it was curfew.
According to the witness, he said himself and the complainant went to the Wellington Police station to report about the incident, after which three police personnel came to the scene of crime and took snap shots.
Later in the day, PW3 said himself, the complainant and the three police personnel went to the resident of Saidu Kanu and Wizzy to evict arrest; unfortunately the former was arrested while the latter is still at large.
At this point the defense counsel, Cecilia Tucker deferred cross examination.
In the same matter, fourth Police witness (PW4) DPC 17702 George E. said he knew the accused person and the complainant, and do recalled the 15th August, 2020 as he was on duty at the Wellington Police Post when the complainant came to report an incident robbery.
Witness added that Detective Police Officer 17697 Koroma F. issued police medical request form to the compliant. While him and Detective Police Officer 1767 visited the scene of crime, and observed that the complainant tele-center was damage. He said photo shots were taken by DPO 17697 Koroma F and later developed into picture form.
Later, according to the witness, the complainant returned to the hospital with an endorsed medical request form, while statement was obtained from the complainant and witnesses.
However, the accused person was arrested and brought by the complainant with the help of three police personnel, while the accused was detained for further investigation, the witness relate.
PW4 revealed that on the 21st August, 2020 himself, DPO 17697 Koroma F and Detective Police officer 19882 Mambu N. witness the transfer of the case file to the regional headquarter at Ross Road Police station for further investigation.
Under cross examination, Defense Counsel Cecilia Tucker asked witness whether the accused person denied the allegation during the investigation. Witness said yes. She further asked the witness if the accused person was surprised to be arrested. Witness said yes. Defense counsel again asked witness if the accused person was at home with his wife when he was arrested. Witness said yes. Defense counsel asked witness if the accused person was arrested at his stone mining site. Witness said yes.
However, the matter has been adjourned to the 1st September, 2021 for further cross examination.