By- Audrey Raymonda John
Alpha Sheriff, Alhassan Kamara, Alhaji Hassan, Amadu Conteh, Alhaji Saidu Fofanah. Sorie Sillah, Abdul Karim Man’s, Abdul Aziz Kargbo, and Aruna Sorsor Kamara were arraigned on four count charge of operating a private security service without license, possession of small arms, being in control of small arms without license and unlawful concealment of arms and ammunition.
According to the particulars of offence, the accused persons on Wednesday 7thJune, 2023 at Bo were found operating a private security service by the name of SAMU-COCO security without valid license.
On count two the first and second accused persons were found in possession of one grey and black Taurus Arms revolver pistol with serial number ACB 569232(856) without license and on count three, the accused persons were found operating a private security by the said name without license.
While on counts 4, the first accused person unlawfully concealed one grey and black Taurus Arm revolver pistol with serial number ACB 569232 (856)
Prosecution witness number one, Sub Inspector Mohamed Wai led in evidence by JMS Bull said he is attached at the operations department at Bo west division.
He said on the 7th June 2023, he was on duty at the said division when he received a telephone call from AIG Madam Kanneh that some people bulldozed the checkpoint. Upon receipt of the information himself together 5 others onboard SLP vehicle with registration number 221 and went to the scene and that upon arrival they met the vehicle park with bonnet opened and that he called the AIG informing her that they have seen the vehicle.
”We search the vehicle and saw 4 baseball bat, and later searched the first accused and discovered pepper spray, one knife, one military compass, Sergeant 9582 Francis Sundu also searched the first accused and discovered one British revolver.
The accused persons, he said were later taken to the regional CID police station Bo where the witness said he later made statement.
The said exhibits were shown to the witness for identification and were also tendered.
During Cross examination by defense counsel, the witness was asked how long he has been a police officer, he said he has been a police officer for the past 33 years and stationed in Bo for 15 years.
On the 7th June 2023, the witness confirmed that the called from the AIG was directed to the OPs Officer.
When he was question as to who of the accused was found with the baseball bat, the witness said the baseball bat was found on the vehicle and the revolver was found by Sergeant Munu on the first accused.
He said the accused persons were handed over to the crime officer in Bo but denied beaten them during their arrest.
When it was put to him, that he allowed civilian and the Mayor of Bo city to enter into the police station to beat the accused person, he denied having knowledge of that.
Lawyer Kamara put it to the witness that on the day of the incident he was not at the scene, but he confirmed being at the scene and described the colour of the vehicle as white colour Hilux vehicle.
Defense counsel applied for the witness statement to be shown to him but was vehemently objected to by the prosecutor on the grounds that the defense counsel did not lay the proper foundation and did not cite any law.
The witness in continuation of his cross examination said he was the one that searched the first accused and the items that were found on him were of police interest.
When the witness was asked as to whether the inscription of APC Sheriff on the T-shirt of the first accused that led to his arrest, but the witness said no.
The witness was also asked whether he is aware of the video going round on social media, he said no.
At this juncture, the defenses counsel requested an adjournment for continuation of cross examination and to bring the video evidence to court.
He however applied for bail on behalf of all the accused persons pursuant to section 79 sub sections 3 of the CPA 1965.
He added that the offences for which the other 8 accused persons were charge are regulating offences and therefore pleaded for bail to be granted to them, while he said the first accused faces charge of unlawful possession.
He said they have heard the opportunity of reviewing the affidavit in opposition to bail by the prosecutor but urged the bench to discountenance it.
Chief Superintendent of police Juan S. Bull in reply vehemently opposed to bail relying on their affidavit in opposition to bail, noting that it is a PI and wanted the matter to be investigated speedily.
She said the matter involves possession of weapon.
Magistrate Ngegba however refused the accused persons bail on the grounds that the offences are serious and that the testimony of PW1 is incomplete.
The matter was adjourned to the 2nd August 2023.
Juan S Bull Chief Superintendent, ASP D Wellington, Inspector Mabel Tarawally for the State.
Defense counsels, Joseph Fix Kamara, Chernor Kamara are representing all nine accused persons.