By Musa Feikah
Former Chief Superintendent of Police attached at the Operational Support Division, North West Region, Keatu Gibson and Detective Sergeant Mohamed Sheik Dumbuya, have made their fifth appearance before Magistrate Hannah Bonnie at the Pademba Road Magistrate Court No. 1 for allegedly defrauding Xing Wang Business Limited one hundred and fifty million Leones (Le150, 000,000) at Quarry, off Mile 38 in Port Loko district.
Police prosecution witness, Detective Sergeant Unisa Mohamed Kamara attached to the Major Incident Unit (MIU) at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) told the court that he recognized the accused persons and he also recalled 20th February 2019.
He continued that on the day in question, he was on duty when a matter involving fraud was transferred to the unit for investigations from the Compliant Discipline Internal Investigations Department of the Sierra Leone Police for further investigation.
The Police witness stated that the Major Incident Support Team (MIST) had received a court order to execute a search warrant on the premises of Xing Wang Business Limited at Quarry, off Mile 38, outside Freetown.
The witness continued his testimony by stating that during the course of the execution of the search, the complainant Ju Xing Wang brought a bag that contained one hundred and fifty million Leones meant for the payment of the Xing Wang workers.
Keatu Gibson, Chief Superintendent of Police, according to the witness, instructed Detective Sergeant Mohamed to take the bag into their vehicle, adding that since then the bag was nowhere to be found.
The witness acknowledged that the case and enquiry file involving the matter was sent to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) office for legal advice.
On 10th May 2019, the Police witness told the court that together with Detective Inspector M.K Alieu, they interviewed the 2nd accused person.
Mr. Kamara informed the court that on the same date, himself and D. Inspector M. K. Alieu charged the accused persons with offences of conspiracy to defraud, embezzlement, conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and others related offences, all contrary to law.
Defense Counsel, Pious Sesay, asked for an adjournment to cross examine the witnesses on behalf of the 1st accused (Keatu Gibson) and it was granted.
The matter was adjourned to 18th September, 2019.