By Musa Paul Feika
James Koroma, who is a driver, is standing trial at the Ross Road Magistrate Court No.1, which is presided over by Magistrate Alhaji Suliaman Koroma for allegedly breaking into the shop of the complainant, Isata Kemoh, and carted away certain valuable properties worth ninety one million, six hundred and one thousand Leones (Le91,601,000 ), which are properties of the complainant.
The incident took place on 3rd July 2020 at Jui Junction in the outskirts of Freetown.
The police prosecution witness, Isata Kemoh, told the court that she recognized the accused and could recall 3rd July 2020. According to her, on that fateful day at around 6:00 am, someone knocked at her door and gave her information about the apprehension of the accused, who allegedly broke into her shop, situated at Jui Junction.
The witness said, upon receiving the information, she left for the crime scene, adding that, upon her arrival, she noticed that the shop was damaged and certain items, which include thirty five 50kg bags of rice, 20 cartons of Ovaltine, eight cartons of sardine, butter cartons, Bama Mayonnaise cartons, men khaki trousers, a carton of chicken legs and backs and other viable properties, all totaling ninety one million, six hundred and one thousand leones (Le91, 601,000) had been carted away.
The witness further testified that she reported the matter at Jui Police Division, noting that, upon her arrival at the Police Station, one Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP Bundu, gave her further information that a police night patrol team from Jui Police Division arrested someone with certain properties from that vicinity and that he was in custody at the police division.
The witness said she was called upon to identify the alleged stolen goods and, according to her, all the items belong to her. She said she made statement at the police station in respect of the matter, which was charged to court.
Another police witness, Detective Sergeant 2688 Abubakar Bangura, attached to the Exhibit Clerk Office Kissy Police Division in Freetown, also testified in respect of the matter.
Mr. Bangura continued his testimony by highlighting some of his duties and responsibilities of an Exhibit Clerk. They include registration of all cases and enquiring files, which he keeps for safe keeping. He said he will tender these exhibits in court during court proceedings.
Mr. Bangura furthered that he could also recall 4th July 2020. According to him, on the day in question, he was at the Exhibit Clerk Office at Kissy Police Division in Freetown, when Detective Police Constable 14969 Kamara A.M. handed over to him the following items: one gray four Runner vehicle with registration No. AJC 464 with its keys, thirty five 50kg bags of rice, two boxes containing assorted items, one green bag containing assorted items, two four gallon oil, Bama Mayonnaises, eight plastic bags containing assorted items, six cartons of diamints, one carton baby food and other items.
The witness said he registered them in the Exhibit Book against serial No. 97/ 2020 , which he tendered in court to form part of the court`s records.
The police charge sheet indicates that James Koroma, on Friday 3rd July 2020, at Jui Junction in the outskirts of Freetown, broke and entered into the shop of the complainant and stole therein certain valuable properties worth ninety one million, six hundred and one thousand leones, properties belonging to Isata Kemoh.
The accused was refused bail and remanded at the Male Correctional Centre Pademba Road in Freetown, while the matter was adjourned to 10th August, 2020.