Alpha Sheriff, Alhassan Kamara, Alhaji Hassan, Amadu Conteh, Alhaji Saidu Fofanah, Sorie Sillah, Abdul Karim Mans, Abdul Aziz Kargbo, and Aruna Sorsor Kamara were Wednesday 26 July 2023 arraigned before a Freetown court on 4 count, of operating a private security service without license, possession of small arms without licence, having in control of small arm without license and unlawful concealment of arm.

According to the particulars of offence the accused persons on Wednesday 7 June 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. On count three the accused persons were found operating a private security by the said name without license on count four the first accused person unlawfully concealed one grey and black Taurus Arms revolver pistol with serial number ACB 569232 (856).

Prosecution witness Number Sub Inspector Mohamed Wai led in evidence by JMS Bull said he is attached at the Operations Department Bo West Division.

He said on the 7 June 2023, he was on duty at the said division when he received a telephone call from the AIG Madam Kanneh that some people bulldoze the checkpoint. Upon receipt of the information himself together  with five others on board SLP 221 and went to the scene and that upon arrival they met the vehicle parked with a banner opened and that he called the AIG and informed him that they have seen the vehicle.

”We searched the vehicle and saw 4 baseball bats,  and later search the first accused Bandar wear 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 rendered.

During Cross examination by defence counsel, the witness was asked has long he has been a police officer, he said he has been a police officer for the past 33 year and stationed in Bo for 15 years.

On 7 June 2023, the witness confirmed that the called from the AIG was directed to the OPs Officer.

When he was questioned as to which of the accused was found with the baseball bats, the witness said the baseball bats were found in the vehicle and the revolvers were found by Sergeant Munu on first accused.

He said the accused persons were handed over to the Crime Officer 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 persons up, 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 vehicle as white Toyota Hilux.

Defences counsel applied for the witness statement to be shown to him but was vehemently objected to by the prosecutor on the grounds that the defence counsel did 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, he replied no.

The witness was also asked whether he is aware of the video going round on social media, he said no.

The defence counsel requested for an adjournment for continuation of cross examination and also to bring the video evidence to court.

He however applied for bail on behalf of all the accused persons pursuant to section 79 sub-section 3 of the CPA 1965.

He added that the offences for which the other 8 accused persons were charged are regulating offences and therefore pleaded for bail to be granted to them. 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 affidavits in opposition to bail, noting that it is a PI and wants the matter to be investigated speedily.

She said the matter involves possession for 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 2 August 2023.

Juan S. Bull Chief Superintendent, ASP D Wellington Inspector Mabel Tarawally for the State. Joseph Fitz Kamara, Chernor Kamara are representing the accused persons.