November 1, 2017 By Yusufu S. Bangura
Presiding Magistrate at the Pademba Road Magistrates’ Court No.1, Santigie Bangura, yesterday (31 October 2017) remanded at the Male Correctional Centre on Pademba Road in Freetown, one Momoh Kamara and James Demby,who are before him on three count charges of malicious damage contrary to law.
The accused persons are presently undergoing preliminary investigation at the magistrates’ court on three count charges of conspiracy, larceny and malicious damage contrary to Section 51 of the Malicious Damage Act of 1861.
The particulars of offense stated that on Monday, 14th October, 2017, at No.3 Cassava Farm, Goderich Road, Juba, Lumley in Freetown, the duo conspired with unknown persons to commit a felony to wit larceny.
The particulars further that on the same date and place, the duo stole the sum of sixteen million, three hundred and twenty thousand Leones (Le 16,320,000) and Maliciously damaged one big metal safe valued three hundred thousand Leones (Le300, 000) and one small metal safe with silver pad lack valued nine hundred thousand Leones (Le900, 000) properties of Fouad Aljawhari.
In his testimony, the first prosecution witness, who is also the complainant on the matter, Fouad Aljawhari, recognized both accused persons as his labourers and recalled the day of the incident.
He told the court that on Monday 14 August, 2017, at around 8am, he went to his shop at Cassava Farm and on his arrival, he noticed that thieves had broken into his shop and also noticed that the cupboard where he kept his money, was opened
He said he also observed that the big safe where he kept the sum of four million, one hundred thousand Leones was missing, adding that a small safe where he had also kept one thousand United States Dollars plus five hundred thousand Leones, was also missing
He continued in his testimony that, after his observation, he told the second accused not to go anywhere, while the first accused was trying to escape.
He narrated that he later called on a police officer who arrested both accused persons and took them to the Lumley Police Station.
However, Inspector Eric A. Deen was the prosecutor and C. Tucker for both accused persons.
The matter was adjourned to 9 November, 2017.