By: Audrey Raymonda John
Led in evidence by ASP Delia Wellington, Prosecution witness number one Justice Alfred Ganda on Tuesday 18th July 2023, in his testimony before Magistrate Mark Ngeba of Pademba Road Court No.1, said he is living at Kabba drive, Masingbo Regent with his family and he is a Justice of the High of Sierra Leone.
He recalled on the 19th May 2023, he was at home and rain started coming heavily which around 11pm he went downstairs and locked his gate and doors of the house and went up stairs.
He furthered that at 2am he saw 7 people upstairs in his bed room which 2 of them were masked with guns in their hands and the others with cutlass and iron bars.
Justice Ganda furthered that as they got into his room and took his 3 laptops, phone, wrist watch, the 3rd accused Hassan Kamara took 18 pairs of shoes/footwear from his shoe rack, took 300 dollars,52 million Leones , his official laptop/car keys, Johnny walker wine, his mother and wife phone.
He went on to testify that the operation took 10-15 minutes and before leaving they tied him and his wife and they said we came to kill you, but because of the 2 months old baby they will spare his life and they went away.
He said he tried an untie himself and his wife and he went downstairs and see how they got in.
He noticed that the broke the window downstairs and came in and went up stairs.
He said the same morning he went to the Police and make a report.
In three days time he was called by the police that they have discovered stolen items so he must come to identify his own.
Then he went and saw most of the items belong to him.
After the testimony he was cross examined by accused 1,2nd 3 as they are not represented and the 4th accused defense counsel did not cross examined but only the 5th defense counsel lawyer Tengbeh cross examined the witness.
Bail application was made, but Magistrate Ngegba said, the offences are serious, all accused are remanded until the 25 July 2023.
The accused persons are charged on 3 counts of conspiracy to commit a felony contrary to law, Robbery with Aggravation contrary to section 23 (1) (a) of the Larceny Act 1916 as repealed and replaced by Section 2 of Act No.16 of 1971 and Receiving stolen goods contrary to section 33 (1) of the Larceny Act 1916.
According to the particulars of offence on count 1, the accused persons John Bangura alias JB, Samuel Koroma alias Jordan, Hassan Kamara , Abu Bakarr Sidique alias Buba and Yusif Kanu on Friday 19 May 2023, at Kabba drive, Regent village, Freetown, conspired together with other person’s unknown to commit a felony to wit robbery with aggravation.
Count 2 states that , John Bangura alias JB, Samuel Koroma alias Jordan and Hassan Kamara on Friday 19 May 2023, at Kabba drive, Masimbo Regent village, Freetown, being armed with shot guns and cutlasses, robbed Justice Alfred Tommy Ganda of certain properties seventy four million seven hundred thousand Leones, and at the same time of or immediately before or immediately after such robbery did use personal violence to the said Justice Alfred Tommy Ganda.
Count 3 state that Yusif Kanu and Abu Bakarr Sidique alias Buba on the same date, at King Jimmy, Wallace Johnson Street, Freetown, did receive stolen items belonging to Alfred Tommy Ganda which were stolen.