By Janet A Sesay
Madam Sao Kpato Hannah Max Kyne, Commissioner of the National Commission For Social Action (NaCSA) has on Monday 24th May, 2021 testified against Musa Kargbo, a security agent deployed at her residence, and three others for allegedly stealing millions of Leones from her house.
The accused persons; Musa Kargbo, Daniel Sesay, FodaySesay and Bell Daboh made their second appearance before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Pademba Road Court No 1 on four count charges ranging from conspiracy, housebreaking, larceny and malicious damage, all contrary to the laws of Sierra Leone.
According to the indictments, police alleged that all the accused persons on 10th February, 2021 at No 104 Regent Road, Hill Station in Freetown conspired with unknown persons to commit a felony, to wit, housebreaking and larceny.
The police further alleged that first accused Musa Kargbo on the same date in Freetown with intent to steal, broke and entered into the dwelling house of Sao Kpato Hannah Max Kyne and stole therein Le15 million, $9,800 equivalent to Le98 million, three sets of gold necklaces valued at Le60 million, one pair set of gold bracelets valued at Le100 million and other properties of the said complainant’s.
The indictment further stated that Musa Kargbo maliciously damaged one siphoned digital security box (safe) valued at Le500 million, while accused persons Daniel Sesay Foday Sesay and Bell Daboh knowing fully-well that Musa Kargbo entered into the house of complainant Sao Kpato Hannah Max Kyne and stole physical cash and properties, received and maintained the said properties of the complainant’s.
Madam Commissioner in further testimony recognised first accused Musa Kargbo and recalled 10th February, 2021, adding that on that day she was to travel to the provinces for three days but while she was about to go she remembered that all her appliances were on and therefore requested the first accused to switch them off, which he did according to her, and returned the keys to her.
She said unbeknownst to her, the accused did not lock the doors but came back with the keys pretending that he had done so.
“I drove out of the house and I was out of town. About three days on my return I heard people talking about what had happened, and I also received information that the first accused had left the compound the same day I travelled,” she noted.
According to her, upon receiving that information, she called the first accused but his phone was off, adding that on her arrival she discovered that all the doors were open.
“When I discovered that all the doors were open including mine, I went straight to my room and checked where I usually keep my monies and discovered that all the monies I kept worth million of Leones were missing. My safe was wide open so I was shocked and started shouting that the first accused had killed me,” she narrated.
She said it was then that the security came to her aid and took her downstairs.
According to her, $9,800 dollars (Le98 million) including her jewelry and one mobile phone that were inside the safe were all missing.
She said she immediately informed the Congo Cross Police Station, whose officers came to her house and interviewed her, and the matter was later transferred to the CID HQ for further investigation, where statement was obtained from her.
The Commissioner furthered that a few days after the matter was reported to the police, she observed that the tap was not running well and that while she was trying to check what had caused it, she saw the safe under the bed, but it was empty and damaged. She said she also informed the police about the damaged safe and they later came to the house and took it to the station.
According to her, sometimes in May she received information from the police that the first accused was arrested through Interpol and was later called to make additional statements to the police at CID HQ, which she did.
The accused persons were not represented and therefore they could not cross examination the witness.
Magistrate Kekura refused bail and remanded the accused persons in prison while the matter was adjourned to 31st May 2021, for further hearing.