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Alpha Sheriff popularly called APC Sheriff and 8 others were denied bail and have been remanded at the Male Correctional Facility on Pademba Road, Freetown, for allegedly being in possession of arms without a valid license.
Magistrate Mark Ngegba at Pademba Road Court No. 1 face to face the accused persons of Alhassan Kamara, Alhaji Saidu Fofanah, Sorie Sillah, Abdul Karim Mans, and four others on charges related to operating private security services without a license, possessing small arms without a license, having control of small arms without a license, and unlawfully concealing arms without a license.
The charges stem from an incident on the 7th of June 2023 in Kebbie Town, Bo, where the accused individuals were allegedly found operating a private security company named Sam-Coco without a valid license. Additionally, Alpha Sheriff, alias APC Sheriff, was allegedly found in possession of a grey and black Taurus Armas Revolver Pistol with serial number ACB 569232 (856), without the required license. Furthermore, he was accused of unlawfully concealing the said firearm.
During the court proceedings, Sergeant Abdul Francis Molu, a second prosecution witness attached to the Operations Department, Bo Regional Police Division, testified that he received a call from AIG Brima Kanneh on the day of the incident, instructing him to trace a vehicle that had bypassed the Kebbie Check Point. Following the order, Molu and other OSD officers located and apprehended the vehicle, which was registered under the name of the 1st accused, Alpha Sheriff. When questioned about evading the checkpoint, Alpha Sheriff reportedly did not provide a satisfactory response.
According to the witness, a search was conducted after the interrogation, leading to the discovery of a black jacket, a white pistol, military boots, and other items in the possession of Alpha Sheriff. Subsequently, all accused persons were apprehended and detained at the Bo Police Station for further investigation.
Despite defense counsel Joseph F. Kamara’s efforts to secure bail for the accused, Magistrate Ngegba denied the request and ordered that they be remanded in custody. The matter has been adjourned to the 7th of August 2023 for further proceedings.
The case remains a subject of interest and concern as the investigation continues into the alleged illegal possession of arms and the operation of an unlicensed private security company.
