By Musa Paul Feika
Osman Sesay has made his first appearance before Magistrate Marke Ngeba at Court No. 2, Pademba Road in Freetown, for allegedly stealing an unregistered RAV 4 vehicle, valued at eight thousand five hundred thousand United States dollars ($8,500), equivalent to ninety million Leones (Le90,000,000), which is the property of Foday Bangura, while in custody of Yankuba Kamara.
Led in evidence by Inspector Francis Macauley, PW1, who also resides at IMATT in Freetown, told the bench that he recognized the accused and could recall 19th May, 2021.
According to Kamara, on that fateful day, he was in his shop when he received a telephone call from his elder brother (Foday Kamara), who informed him that somebody wanted a RAV 4 vehicle. He added that his elder brother gave him the contact of the buyer. He said that he talked to the contact and asked him to meet him at Yellow Mosque in Grafton.
PW1 said he instantly left for the aforesaid address, adding that, upon his arrival, he saw the accused with three others. He said the accused instructed him to park the vehicle at the garage by Yellow Mosque in Grafton.
The witness said he further instructed him to start the vehicle, but during this process, the accused told him that the vehicle’s exhaust pipe was seriously leaking and he asked him to come down from the vehicle.
“When I came down, three guys boarded the vehicle and drove off. When I attempted to pursue them, the accused asked me to wait, assuring me that they will be back soon,” he told the bench.
“After thirty minutes had past, and I could not see them. I went to Regent Police Station where I made a report. After my statement, I was later advised by police officers to report the matter to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters at Pademba Road in Freetown, where I also made a statement,” Mr. Kamara said.
The accused is arraigned before the court on one count of conspiracy to commit a felony, which is contrary to law.
The police say Osman Sesay, on Wednesday 19th May, 2021, at Yellow Mosque, Grafton, conspired together with unknown persons and stole a RAV 4 vehicle, which is valued at eight thousand fifty United States dollars, property of Foday Bangura, while in custody of Yankuba Kamara.
The accused was refused bail and remanded at the Male Correctional Centre; Padamba Road in Freetown, and the matter was adjourned to 9th July, 2021.