August 25, 2016 By Patrick Jaiah Kamara
Justice Alhaji Momoh Jah Stevens, presiding at the Ross Road High Court, Tuesday, 23 August sentenced one Ibrahim Kargbo to 20 years imprisonment after he was convicted of the offences of conspiracy and robbery. His co-accused persons – Abass Bangura and AmaduBallah Kamara – were convicted of conspiracy.
Justice Stevens noted that the punishment would serve as monumental lesson to other thieves.
State Prosecutor Augustine Sheku had alleged that the trio on 30 September, 2014 attacked and robbed one Mariama Gborie at New London, Kossoh Town, just outside Freetown, carting away one Honda Jeep vehicle with registration No.SMG 002 valued USD$17,000, a Toshiba laptop computer valued Le4.5 million, and assorted property, cumulatively amounting to Le123.1 million.
All the accused persons had pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Justice Steven said the complainant had described herself as a house wife who works very hard to earn her living, adding that it was “outrageous and despicable” that the accused persons conspired to deprive her of her property.
“As young men, you ought to have realised that your action will land you in hot waters. The accused persons before the court have disappointed themselves by indulging in criminal activities, instead of engaging in things that will guarantee them brighter future. I hope the punishment about to be imposed will serve as a deterrent to society and a monumental lesson for the accused persons,” the learned judge said.
Meanwhile, the second and third accused persons were acquitted and discharged on the offence of robbery, but found guilty of conspiracy, with the judge describing their actions as aiding and abetting the crime before and after. Both of them were sentenced to three-years-six months each.
The accused persons were represented by A.I. Sesay and C. Tucker from the Legal Aid Board.