Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Ross Road Court No.1 on Monday July 17, 2023 remanded Ibrahim Kebay, Yusuf Kamara in the male correctional Centre and Isatu Kamara at the Female Correctional Centre respectively after the trio were implicated in the stealing of 200 bags of Parboiled Indian Rice. Kebay and Kamara are charged with the stealing of the bags of rice while Isatu Kamara is charged with receiving 45 bags of the stolen rice. The total value of the stolen items is NLe127,000 and they belong to the complainant, Abdul Kebay, who is the brother of the first accused.
The accused were arrested on the 11th of July 2023 by Detective Police Constable (DPC) 12144 Jalloh and arraigned before the court for the offences of conspiracy , larceny and receiving stolen goods.
It was alleged by Inspector General of Police (IGP) that Ibrahim Kebay and Yusuf Kamara on 21st June 2023 at No. 57 Main Motor Road in Waterloo on the outskirts of Freetown, conspired with unknown persons and stole two hundred bags of parboiled Indian rice valued at NLe127,000 belonging to Abdul Harman Kebay.
The charge sheet furthered that the third accused, Isatu Kamara, on the same date and place in Freetown, received 45 bags of parboiled Indian rice valued at NLe29,250 from Yusuf Kamara knowing them to have been stolen.
Defence counsel A. K. Kamara representing the third accused applied for bail on behalf of his client assuring the bench that his client is a Sierra Leonean and that his client had reliable sureties willing and ready to enter into his recognizance.
Lawyer Kamara told the court that his client will refrain from interfering with the prosecution’s witness. He based his application on section 79 (2) (3) and (3) of the Criminal Procedure Act No. 32 of 1965, adding that if bail granted to the accused, he would always avail himself in court as and when needed.
Mr. Kamara also humbly apologized to the bench for the third accused coming to court late, assured that he will never repeat such conduct, and vowed to admonished her on punctuality.
Responding the police prosecutor Assistant Superintendent (ASP), Osman M. Bangura, objected to bail, but did didn’t serve the defense an affidavit opposing bail. The Police prosecutor’s objection to bail was based on the the quantum of money involved.
In response, Magistrate Kekura having heard the application, denied the accused persons bail and remanded the accused at the Male and Female Correctional Centre on Pademba Road in Freetown.
The matter was adjourned to 20th July 2023 for further hearing.