By Musa Paul Feika
Suliaman Bangura, who is a technician, is standing trial at the Ross Road Magistrate Court No.1, which is presided over by Magistrate Wilbri Hamida Moira John, for allegedly stealing an Iphone Seven Plus (7+), and a Techno Spark Five (5) mobile phone, which are all valued at two million, two hundred and fifty thousand Leones (Le2,250,000), which property belongs to Lansana Sesay (complainant).
The police prosecution witness, Lansana Sesay, led by Inspector P.M.G. Daramy, told the bench that he recognized the accused and could recall Wednesday 14th April, 2021.
He said, on that day, he was sitting at his veranda when the accused came and pasted four days notice to quit on his door. According to him, he was preparing to pray then. He added that, as a result, he laid his two mobile phones, which include I-Phone Seven (7+) and Techno Spark five mobile phone, down while praying.
“After prayers, I could no longer see my two phones,” he said.
He concluded his testimony, stating that, on the following day, he reported the matter to the Kissy Police Division in Freetown.
During cross examination by the defence counsel, Michaela Patricia George, she asked Mr. Sesay whether he saw the accused when he was collecting his cell phones. He replied in the negative.
At this juncture, Lawyer George smelled perjury, pursuant to Section 1 of the Perjury Act. She added that the witness, during the examination in-chief, told the bench that he saw the accused taking his cell phones. But, according to her, the witness has denied same.
The Perjury Act is when someone, under oath, intentionally or falsely lies to the court whether in spoken or written language. It is a serious offence, because it can be used to usurp the power of the courts, which often results to miscarriage (s) of justice.
In reply, Magistrate John adjourned the matter to 11th May, 2021 for ruling.