By Mamaja Jalloh
Mekel Karim a twenty-one years old Nigerian national and phone mechanic made another appearance before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court No.2 in Freetown on Thursday, 26 September, 2024, a count of alleged shop breaking and larceny contrary to section 26 (1) of the Larceny Act 1916.
According to the particulars of offence on Friday 16 August 2024 at Lighfoot Boston Street the Western Area in Freetown, that you broke and entered into the shop of Alimamy Koroma and stole therein Samsung Galaxy A05, Tecno POP 8 phone, H5627 mobile phone, Galloway perfume and other assorted items equivalent to the total sum of One Hundred and Forty-Six Thousand Three Hundred and Ten Leone (146,310) property of Alimamy Koroma.
When the charge was read and explained to the accused person no plea was taken by Assistant Superintendent of Police Isatu Baba Musa, the led prosecution witness Number Three Sergeant 10037 Sahr Sellu recognized the accused person in the dock as he recalled the 16 August 2024 whilst on duty at the Central Police Station when the complainant was arrested and brought in the accused person. The matter was allocated to him for investigation and obtained statements from the complainant and witnesses separately.
On the 17 August 2024 himself together with DPC17939 obtained voluntary cautioned statement from the accused person separately in Krio language which was recorded in English language at the conclusion of the statement it was read over and explained to the accused person which he admitted it to be true and correct by afflicting his right hand thumbprint witness by DPC 17939 Kamara I and he signed as the recorder the said statement was produce and tendered in court to form part of the court records marked as exhibit A1-21.
On the 26 of August 2024 himself together with the said investigator obtained charge statement from the accused person he was charged with the offence of shop breaking and larceny in Krio language which was recorded in English language at the conclusion of the charge statement it was read over and explained to the accused person which he admitted it to be true and correct by afflicting his right hand thumbprint witness by the said investigator and he signed as the recorder the charge statement was produce and tendered in court to form part of the court records marked as exhibit B1-3 he conclude
The accused person was not legally represented and he cross examined the witness.
Meanwhile Magistrate Bangura refused bail and sent the accused person to the male correctional facility in Freetown matter adjourned to the 3rd October 2024
