Detective Sergeant 9940, Fayia Alhaji Tengbeh, attached to the Anti -Robbery Unit at the Ross Road Police Division in Freetown, has testified before Magistrate Alhaji Suliaman Koroma, of Ross Road Magistrate Court No. 1, regarding one Abubakarr Kamara, who was charged with the offences of robbery with aggravation, conspiracy to commit a felony, wounding and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, which are all contrary to the laws of Sierra Leone.
The witness continued his testimony noting that he recognized the accused as well as the complainant, Mohamed Bilo Barrie, and could recall 12th June, 2020.
Mr. Tengbeh noted that, on the day in question, he was on duty at the Ant-Robbery Unit at the Ross Road Police Division, in Freetown, when a transfer and enquiry file, from P.W.D. Police Post at Ferry Junction, in Freetown, was brought to the above-mentioned Unit for investigation.
The witness told the court that the case and enquiry file contained an endorsed medical paper bearing the name of the complainant, and a voluntary caution statement of the accused, which were produced and tendered in court as exhibits.
On the 12th June 2020, the witness went on, he obtained an additional voluntary caution statement from the accused, adding that at the end of the statement the accused admitted it to be true and correct by affixing his right hand thumbprint, which was witnessed by Detective Sergeant Bindi E.T.M.
Mr. Tengbeh said, on the 15th June 2020, he charged the accused with the offences of conspiracy to commit a felony, robbery with aggravation, wounding and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, which are all contrary to the laws of Sierra Leone.
The indictment adduces that Abubakarr Kamara, on the 12th June 2020, at Moeba Kissy in Freetown, robbed, wounded and assaulted the complainant, Mohamed Bilo Barrie, in a manner thereby causing him grievous bodily harm.
The accused was unrepresented; however, during the cross examination, he put it to the witness that the statement, he obtained from him, was a torturing statement. But Mr. Tengbeh replied in the negative.
He further put it to him that he was asked to pump (Le200) two hundred times before he obtained a statement from him. The witness also responded in the negative.
The accused was denied bail and remanded at the Male Correctional Centre, Pademba Road in Freetown, and the matter was adjourned to 16th September, 2020.