By Musa Paul Feika
One Samuel Heffner and two others are standing trial at the Ross Road Magistrate’s Court No. 1 presided by Magistrate Alhaji Sulaiman Koroma for the offences of conspiracy to commit a felony, robbery with aggravation and other related offences that are all contrary to law.
When arraigned in court, the accused pleaded not guilty to the offences levied against them.
The police prosecution, Inspector P. M .G. Daramy sought for an adjournment on the grounds that he wanted to get in contact with the complainant whom he said is the factual witness in respect of the matter.
In responses, Lawyer K. Kanu representing the accused applied for bail on behalf of the accused by relying on Section 79 sub-sections 1, 2 and 3 of the Criminal Procedure Act of 1965. He told the court that since the inception of the matter the complainant had not made himself available in court and that the accused have been incarcerated for ten days.
Lawyer Kanu concluded his application stating that on the next date, if the prosecution does not make any progress in matter, he will apply for the matter to be discharged on the grounds that the prosecution has no evidence against the accused.
The police prosecution vehemently opposed to any bail due to the quantum of money involved.
Magistrate Koroma, who is presiding over the matter, granted the accused bail in the sum of Le150million each with two sureties in like sum, and the sureties must be resident within the jurisdiction. Bail is to be approved by the Master and Registrar of the High Court of Sierra Leone.
The accused are charged with the offences of conspiracy to commit a felony, robbery with aggravation and other related offences that are contrary to law.
The police charge sheet stated that Samuel Heffner and two others on Thursday 21st May, 2020 at Hastings in the Western Area Rural District conspired with other persons unknown to commit a felony, to wit, robbery with aggravation and at the same time and address, robbed one Tommy Kamanda, who is the complainant in respect of the matter, certain valuable properties with a cumulative value of Le5, 015, 000 (Five million Fifteen Thousand Leones).
The accused are on bail and the matter was adjourned to 6th July, 2020.