April 21, 2016 By Hawa Amara
An officer of Operational Support Division (OSD) of the Sierra Leone was yesterday remanded at the Male Correctional Centre on Pademba Road for allegedly stealing 13 pieces of dynamite explosive valued a little over US$18,000.
Mohamed Sankoh was arraigned before Magistrate Dr. Abou Bhakarr Binneh-Kamara, presiding at the Freetown Magistrates’ Court No.1, on three counts of store breaking and larceny, being found in possession of fire explosive and demanding money, contrary to laws of the country.
According to the prosecution, the accused on Friday, 15 January, 2016 at Solar Mountain Mining site, Masumbiri Village in the Kafe Masimera Chiefdom, Tonkolili District, broke and entered into the store of Transcend International Resources Sierra Leone Limited and stole 13 pieces of dynamite explosive worth US$18,044.
The prosecution alleged that the accused, on the same date and place, was found in possession of dynamite explosive without lawful authority and demanded the sum of Le102, 000 from one Eric Musa Dumbuya.
In his testimony, Country Director of Transcend International Resources Sierra Leone Limited, Alphozon Alpha Yajah said the company had secured license from the Ministry of Mineral Resources to mine gold at a mining site in Masumbiri village, where they kept properties, including dynamites that were kept in the store and locked.
He explained that the company contracted the service of police officers, including the accused.
However, he said, “I later learnt that theft was taking place in the mining site and I instructed two of my employees – Mambo Yajah, Deputy Director of the company and Aruna Kanu – to make statement at Magboruka Police Station.”
He said when 13 pieces of dynamite were stolen, which cost US$1,388 per kilometre, he reported the matter to the internal complaints office at Police headquarters in Freetown. He told the court that the stolen items were found with the accused subsequently.
The matter was adjourned until 22 April for defence to cross-examine the witness.