By Mamajah Jalloh
Lamin Bangura, a 25-year-old cleaner, Thursday 12th December 2024, made his first appearance before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court No.2 in Freetown on a count of Larceny contrary to Section 13 (a) of the Larceny Act 1916.
According to the particulars of offence, on Friday 18th October 2024 at 32 Benjamin Lane in the Western Area of Freetown, the accused entered the dwelling house of Pawel Andizel Kusmierzak- a polish national of the above address, and stole therein the sum of fifteen thousand United States dollars, and two and half kilogram of gold, all to the total value of four million, eight hundred and forty-eight Leones, property of the said Pawel Andizel Kusmierzak.
When the charge was read and explained to the accused, person No plea was taken.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Dialla Wellington led in Prosecution witness number 2- Dpc 14288 Ibrahim Bangura, who is attached at the Anti-Fraud Unit at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters- Pademba Road Freetown, recognized the complainant and the accused person in the matter as he recalled that on the 18th October 2024 whilst on duty, a team of detectives headed by Sergeant 10587 Foday Jaiah and himself went to Hill Top Guesthouse at No.32 Benjamin Lane; and upon their arrival, they met the complainant, who reported that his money and gold have been stolen from his bedroom.
He noted that one of the cleaners was on the run, and left the accused behind; and that they arrested the accused person and brought him to the said police station.
He continued that the matter was allocated to a team of investigators headed by him, together with DPC 14846 T.J Gauja, who obtained statements from the complainant and his witness separately.
Ibrahim revealed that on the same date, himself, together with Sub- Inspector Hassan Kargbo, obtained voluntary caution statement from the accused person in Krio language which was recorded in English language; and that at the conclusion of the statement, it was read over and explained to the accused person, a statement he admitted to be true and correct by afflicting his right-hand thumbprint witnessed by Sub Inspector Hassan Kargbo; and he signed as the recorder. The statement was produced and tendered in court to form part of the court records.
He mentioned that on the 20th October 2024, himself, together with Sub- Inspector Hassan Kargbo, obtained additional caution statement from the accused person with the same procedure as in the previous statement, the additional statement produced and tendered in court to form part of the court records.
He furthered that on the 21st November 2024, he charged the accused person with the offence he is standing trial for, the charge statement produced and tendered in court to form part of the court records.
The witness said they received a memory stick containing the CCTV footage of the accused person at the scene, a stick they gave to the Cyber Unit.
The witness was cross-examined by Randy Bangura Esq. who renewed and adopted his previous bail applications on behalf of the accused person.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Bangura refused bail based on the nature of the offences charged.
The matter was adjourned to the 20th of December 2024 for further hearings.
