By Musa Paul Feika
The police prosecution witness, Detective Sergeant 8794 Alimamy Kamara attached to the Electricity Distribution Supply and Authority (EDSA) Unit, at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters Padamba Road in Freetown, has testified in the ongoing matter involving one Alhaji Kargbo and two others with the offences of alleged conspiracy, receiving stolen goods and stealing electric cables contrary to law.
Testifying in court he said he recognized the accused and could recall 31st June, 2021. He said on that fateful day, the witness said, he was on duty at the aforesaid unit at Criminal Investigation Department in Freetown, when he received a case and inquiry file from Ross Road Police Division in Freetown. According to him, the file was contained witnesses’ statements and six length of aluminum electric cable.
He said they conduct a search warrant at the 1st accused’s residence adding that, during the course of the search, he discovered another six length of electric cables.
The witness added that himself and Detective M. Barrie obtained a voluntary caution statement from the 1st accused (Alhaji Kargbo), and at the end of the statement he admitted it to be true and correct by affixing his right hand thumbprint, which was witnessed by Detective Inspector M. Barrie.
He recounted that, the 1st accused made a confessional statement to him that he and 2nd accused stole the cable in question. On the 2nd June, 2021, the witness said, he obtained an additional caution statement from the 1st accused and he affixed his right hand thumbprint. The additional voluntary caution statement of the 1st accused was produced and tendered for identification.
“I and Detective Inspector M. Barrie obtained a voluntary caution statement from the 2nd accused, and at the end of his statement, he admitted it to be true and correct by affixing his right hand thumbprint, which was witnessed by Detective Inspector M. Barrie.
He asked for permission to produce and tender the statements for identification,”
On the 3rd June, 2021, he charged the 1st and 2nd accused with the offences of conspiracy and stealing electric cables, which are all contrary to law, while the 3rd accused was charged with the offence of receiving stolen goods, which is also contrary to law.
The police say 1st and 2nd accused, on the 31st June, 2021, at Wellington in Freetown, stole six lengths of aluminum electric cables worth a million Leones.
The police charge sheet states that 3rd accused, received six lengths of electric cables knowing to have been stolen.
The accused were not legal represented, they were refused bail and remand at the Male Correctional Centre Pademba Road in Freetown. The matter was adjourned to 28th June, 2021.