By Musa Paul Feika
Juma Bah and another accused person are standing trial at the Ross Road Magistrate Court presided over by Magistrate Alhaji Sulaiman Koroma for allegedly stealing 27 empty fishing crates valued Le 5, 800, 000 (five million, eight hundred thousand Leones) property of the Sierra Leone Fishing Company.
The police prosecution witness, Police Constable (PC) Desmond Kamara attached Scientific Support Unit (SSU), at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Ross Road Police Division took the witness stand.
In his testimony, witness recognised the accused as well as complainant and recalled 26th November, 2020.
On that day, he said, he was on duty at the SSU, Ross Road Police Station when complainant Fatmata Vada made a report of larceny.
Kamara said the matter was assigned to him for investigation, and he obtained statements from complainant and witnesses.
On the same day, Kamara went on, Detective Inspector Mansaray A. B. and Detective Police Constable Steven M. visited scene of crime at No. 22 Quarry, Kissy Dock Yard in Freetown.
Upon their arrival at the scene, he said, photographs were taken by the scene of crime officer.
He said the Chief security officer at the crime scene; Ibrahim Sesay arrested the first accused, Juma Bah and handed him over to them with 27 empty fishing crates.
Witness also told the court that on the same say he obtained voluntary caution statements from the accused persons separately.
Witness further testified that he read over the statements to the accused persons who admitted it to be true and correct by affixing their right thumbprints witnessed by Detective Sergeant 18263 Z.M.
Statements of the accused persons were tendered in evidence. Witness rounded up his testimony by stating that On 1st December, this year, he charged the accused persons with the offences of larceny from person and receiving stolen goods respectively.
According to the police charge sheet, Juma Bah on 26th November, 2020, at No. 22 Quarry, Kissy Dockyard in Freetown, stole 27 empty fishing crates twenty seven empty fishing crates, property belonging to Sierra Leone Fishing Company Ltd.
The charge sheet also stated that on the same date and address, the second accused received the stolen goods (fishing crates) from the first accused.
Trial in progress, and accused persons denied bail.
The matter comes on 14th January, next year.