February 26, 2016 By Hawa Amara
Five accused persons – Abu Bakarr Sankoh, Foday Koroma, Momodu Bangura, Mohamed Bah alias Alphajor and Mohamed Bah – were yesterday remanded at the Male Correctional Centre on Pademba Road, after their arraignment on four counts of conspiracy, larceny by servant and receiving stolen goods, contrary to law.
The accused were arraigned at the Freetown Magistrates’ Court No.1, presided over by Magistrate Dr. Abu Bakarr Binneh-Kamara.
According to police prosecutor Sergeant 922 Dumbuya John, the accused on 1 June, 2015 and 17 January, 2016 conspired with some unknown persons to steal and stole 17 vehicles valued cumulatively at Le350, 000, 000 from Logistic Procurement Company at Grass Field, east ofFreetown.
The prosecution also alleges that two among the four accused, Mohamed Alphajor Bah and Mohamed Bah received five of the 17 vehicles, worth Le19 million.
Lead defence counsel, C.F. Edwards, applied for bail on behalf of the accused persons, pleading with the magistrate that the accused persons are ordinarily residents within the jurisdiction and that they pose no flight risk or in any way interfere with prosecution witnesses if granted bail.
But prosecutor Sergeant 922 Dumbuya vehemently objected to bail, stating that the offences for which the accused persons are in court are very serious and that they could jump bail or interfere with prosecution witnesses.
The matter continues on 1 March, 2016 when the prosecution is expected to open their case.