By Janet A Sesay
Detective Inspector Mohammed Kargbo attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters, yesterday, 23rd of March, told the court that the shooting of the first accused, Alie Saja Foster in his leg was done outside the residence of the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Lahai Laurence Leema and not inside his private residence.
He made this statement before Magistrate Marke Ngegba of court No.2 after questions were posed on him by Defense Counsel, Claudius Campbell.
Led in evidence by States Prosecutor, Adrian Fisher, the witness said he recognised the accused persons in the dock and recalled on 1st February, 2020.
He said while on duty, they received a distress call by Superintendent Williams’s Operation Officer at the C.I.D headquarters that the residence of the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs and his bodyguards were under attacked.
He furthered that upon receiving the information, they were instructed to go to the Lumley Police Station and that upon their arrival, the then Regional Commander – West, A.I.G Ambrose Sovula instructed them to go to the residence of Leema at 14 Mina Drive, Juba Hill, West of the capital.
The witness furthered that when they materialized at the scene, Mr. Leema, told them that he was attacked at his residence but that in self defense, one of his security guards shot the first accused person in his leg, adding that police personnel have rushed with him to the Emergency hospital for treatment.
He furthered that after statements were obtained from the Minister in English, they returned to the Lumley Police Station and obtained statements from Aminata Bangura and Abibatu Sesay. He said they later went to the C.I.D headquarters and developed a case and created an enquiry file and the report entered.
Mohammed furthered that on 11th February, 2020 himself and detective Superintendent Mohammed Allieu went to the Emergency hospital and obtained cautionary statement from the first accused person, Alieu Saja Foster, observing the Judge’s rule and that on the 16th February, 2020 they also obtained cautionary statements from the second and third accused persons, Victor Emmanuel Sesay and Michael Abass Turay , also observing the Judge’s rule.
He said on 14th March, 2020, he finally charge the accused persons with the offences of conspiracy to murder, conspiracy to caused grievous bodily harm, conspiracy to cause malicious damage, carrying offensive weapons, throwing missiles and other related offences.
During cross examination, the witness said that the Minister is the complainant in the matter and was told that his security guard shot the leg of the first accused person but that he was never arrested for doing such an act. He continued that the most severe damage he witnessed during the incident was the shot done by the said police officer.
He also said that the accused persons denied the allegation and told them that they were passersby coming from the resident of one Mr. Bangura. Mr. Bangura, he said, also confirm that the accused persons were coming from his resident that particular morning.
The accused were arraigned on fourteen counts charge ranging from conspiracy to murder, throwing missiles, conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm, riotous conduct to other related offences.
The charge sheet indicated that the accused person on 1st February, 2020 at Mina Drive, Juba Lumley in Freetown conspired together with other person unknown to murder Lahai Laurence Leema and his body guard, Aiah Feika.
Rashid Dumbuya after cross examination renewed his application for bail and states that the order given by the Magistrate on the last adjourned date that the prison officers should take a proper care of the first accused person was not adhered to by the officers in charge.
He made an application that the first accused person be taken to the Emergency hospital to continue his treatment so that he would not end up losing his leg.
The accused persons were denied bail by the Magistrate and the matter comes up on 30th March, 2020.