Two suspects have been remanded at the Male Correctional Centre, Pademba Road in Freetown by Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Ross Road Court No.1 for allegedly stealing six (6) tonnes of iron rods and other valuables worth eighty-nine thousand, six hundred Leones (NLe89,600) said to be properties of Mohamed James Foday.
The accused, Foday Amara and Lamin Mayiteh Kargbo are standing trials before magistrate Sahr Kekura on two counts charges of conspiracy to commit a crime and larceny contrary to section 2 of the Larceny Act of 1916.
Police alleged that the accused, on Monday 13th June 2023 at Paopa Town, Gratfon on the outskirts of Freetown, conspired with unknown persons to commit a crime, to wit, larceny.
It is further alleged that the accused, on the same date and place in Grafton conspired with unknown persons and stole six tonnes of iron rods and other valuables worth NLe89,600 belonging to the complainant.
Led in evidence by Sergeant 9874 W Turay M. M., prosecution witness (PW) 1, Ibrahim Sheriff testified before Magistrate Sahr Kekura.
Giving important details about the matter, Sheriff recalled the said date, the accused and the complainant, stating that he was on duty on that date at the 75 Malador Filling Station when he heard strange noises coming from the complainant’s compound.
He said, he swiftly went to check what was causing such noises at that time of the night, adding that upon his arrival, he met the two accused. That is the caretaker and the other man whom he interrogated and they told him that they were transferring the items to another site.
The witness furthered that, the caretaker told him that the owner( complainant) of the store was aware of the said transfer which made him agreed and let them be.
However, he explained that when he saw the complainant the other day, he enquired whether he knew of a transfer that took place around 2am at his store but the complainant was surprised and immediately reported the matter to the Grafton Police Station where the accused were convened to make statements.
Defense Counsel H. Kamara, during cross examination suggested to the witness that it was only the caretaker, Mohamed, he saw at the site during the incident, but the witness responded that he saw the accused including the caretaker.
Lawyer Kamara applied for bail on behalf of his client citing section 79 (2) of the Criminal Procedure Act No.32 of 1965, assuring that his clients will not interfere with the court proceedings.
However, due to the seriousness of the offences, the accused were denied bail by Magistrate Sahr Kekura and the matter was adjourned to 29th July 2023 for further hearing.