By Janet A. Sesay
The Principal Magistrate of the Freetown Magistrate Court No.1, Magistrate Sahr Kekura on Friday 16th July, 2021 sentenced Chernor Kanu and Mohammed Conteh to 12 months imprisonment, or pay a fine of Le1 million each to the Judiciary’s Sub Treasury. The men were found guilty of stealing a Global Positioning System (GPS), valued at Le3 million, property of Alusine Kamara.
Before sentencing the convicts, Magistrate Kekura said they were charged with larceny contrary to section 2 of the Larceny Act of 1916. He said the charge sheet indicated that the accused on Sunday 6th December, 2020 at Tamba Kula Wharf, Aberdeen in Freetown, stole the GPS and Le5 million in cash, totalling Le8 million, property of Alusine Kamara.
Magistrate Kekura, before sentencing the convicts, said the prosecutor, Inspector Andrew Komba led four witnesses including both formal witness and the exhibit clerk, who were subsequently cross examined by the accused. He said larceny is described as when a person steals without the owner’s consent, thereby depriving the said owner.
The Magistrate said first accused Chernor Kanu in his statements made to the police admitted that he found the GPS but had not seen the Le5 million, adding that as soon as he found the GPS he took it to second accused, Mohammed Conteh, which device they sold to one Daddy Anter for Le400,000.
The Magistrate furthered that although there was no evidence before the court to show that both accused took the Le5 million; however, there was sufficient evidence showing that they conspired, stole and sold the GPS.
In that regard, Magistrate Kekura said the prosecution had proven their case beyond reasonable doubt, and therefore found them guilty as charged.
Both convict pleaded with the Magistrate to temper justice with mercy, promising that such would not happen again. Magistrate Kekura then sentence them to 12 months imprisonment, or pay a fine of Le1 million each to the Judiciary Sub Treasury.