By Audrey Raymonda John
Osman Santigie Kamara, a driver, who was at the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society (RCRSL) and two others appeared before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Ross Road Court No. 1 for allegedly stealing certain valuables worth thousands of Leone.
The said items belong to the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society in Waterloo.
During the proceeding, Magistrate Kekura have denied them bail and remanded at the Male Correctional Center on Pa Demba Road in Freetown.
Osman Santigie Kamara, Alie Koroma and Farah Conteh were arraigned before court for conspiracy and other related offences contrary to the laws.
Police records showed that the accused, on Friday 22nd September, 2023 allegedly stole dashboards, and other valuables worth thousands of leones.
According to the police file these items were stolen from vehicles registration numbers AMD 726, AJN and AHI 844 totaling one hundred thirty-six thousand, two hundred and sixty leones(NLe136,260) properties of Sierra Leone Red Cross Society.
First prosecution witness, Amudu Morlai Kamara, who was led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Osman Mohamed Bangura, recognized the accused and recalled Friday 22nd September 2023.
On that day, he said he was in his office at No.4 Barracks Road Murray Town, Freetown, when he received a call from one of his supervisors, Mr Umaru Bangura to replace one of his personnel at the Sierra Leone Red Cross Compound.
He said Umaru Bangura also gave him about two people who were caught at the Sierra Leone Red Cross warehouse in Waterloo.
Upon receiving the information, he said he immediately left for the crime scene in Waterloo, adding that upon his arrival he met the two suspects, Alie Koroma and Farah Conteh there.
He said when he questioned them in respect of the incident; they pointed accusing fingers to one Mr. Usman.
Explaining further, PW1 said his supervisor identified the two accused and briefed him how they were arrested.
At that juncture, the prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Osman Mohamed Bangura, sought for a short adjournment for him a better conference with his witness, which was granted.
One of the defense counsels S. A Conteh renewed his application for bail on behalf of his clients citing section 79 of the Criminal Procedure Act No. 32 of 1965.
Lawyer Conteh assured the bench that his clients would not jump bail neither will they interfere with prosecution’s witnesses.
He further canvassed the decision of the bench to admit the accused to bail.
In response, ASP Bangura, told the court that he realized on the affidavit he served on the previous adjourned date.
Buttressing, Mr Bangura said there still are other suspects in respect of the matter who are on the run, submitting that if the accused were put on bail, there is likelihood to interfere with prosecution’s witnesses.
Having heard the application and objections raised by prosecution, Magistrate Kekura said he had the feeling that if the accused were granted bail, they would interfere with the prosecution’s witnesses.
He said more especially the first accused, the first accused is a driver, who was working for the said institution and taking into consideration, the quantum is colossal or huge.
Magistrate Kekura said the organization is a humanitarian organisation that has been helping the needed or people who are in need.
As matterof fact, he denied the accused bail and the matter was adjourned to Tuesday 7th November 2023 for further examination in chief.