By Janet A Sesay
Alpha Kalokoh, Ibrahim Kamara, Abu Kamara, Ibrahim Osman Sesay, Abdul Conteh, Sulaiman Bah, and others have been remanded by Magistrate Hannah Bonnie during their first appearance, last Friday.
The accused persons were arraigned in court for five counts of conspiring with other persons unknown to commit a felony to wit: malicious damage and other related offences.
The charge sheet indicated that the accused persons on Wednesday 6th May 2020, in Tombo and Waterloo towns in the Western Area Rural district conspired with other persons unknown to commit a felony and that the accused on the same day and place maliciously damaged one steel door valued Le 800,000, three windows valued Le 2,000,000, twenty-four window glasses valued Le 480,000 and other properties all to the total value of Le 4, 400,000 (four million four hundred thousand Leones).
The charge sheet furthered that the accused on the same day and place maliciously set ablaze a police station and a government hospital in Tombo.
Evidence was offered by Inspector Richard Lebbie who took the witness during the day’s proceedings.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Ibrahim Mansaray is prosecuting on behalf of the state.
Led in evidence by ASP Mansaray, the witness Inspector Lebbie recognized the accused and recalled 6th May 2020.
He said on that day he was on duty at the Criminal Investigation Department Freetown when a team of detectives arrested and brought in the accused persons.
On diverse dates between 16th and 21st May this year, he and other detectives obtained voluntary caution statements from the accused persons by observing the ‘Judges Rules’ meant to be followed by all investigators.
The accused persons’ caution statements were tendered in evidence and formed part of the court records.
Inspector also testified that on 20th May, this year, he and the Scene of Crime Officer, Inspector Vandi visited and took photographs of the scene. “On 20th May 2020, I charged the accused with conspiracy and other related offences,” Inspector Williams told the court.
The witness was crossed examined by defense counsel E.T Koroma and M. Thorley.
The two counsels also made an application for bail on behalf of all accused persons but the prosecutor objected to bail on the grounds that the offence is a very serious one.
The accused were denied bail by the Magistrate and the matter was adjourned to the 26th May 2020.