A 13 years-old pupil has on Wednesday July 1, 2020, testified before Magistrate Hannah Bonnie of Court No.1 on Pademba Road, Freetown, how they were allegedly robbed of their property by Amadu Sow, the accused.
The witness recognized the accused and recalled Wednesday June 10, 2020. He said at around 3am while he was asleep in his room he heard his father shouting signaling that thieves had entered the house.
He said based on the signal, he got up from his sleep and peeped through the door and saw two men, one holding a gun which he pointed to the head of his father, and the other holding a cutlass which was pointed at the neck of his father.
He explained that the thieves were about eight in number but two were holding on to arms and were not fully masked.
He told the court that, he then went to his room and closed the door, switch off the light and pretended to be asleep. He said while he was in the room with his uncle who was asleep he heard the accused asking his father who were in the room.
He stated that his father told them his younger brother and his son were in the room. He disclosed that the robbers asked his father about his car key after which he heard the sound of a fallen machete. He said he went out of his room and his father instructed him to take the robbers to his room and give them the car key.
He mentioned that he gave the car key to one of the robbers who was holding on to the gun, after which the robber ordered him to go back to his room. He said later they removed him from his room and locked him in a store together with his uncle, Umaru Lahai, who had sellotape on his hand, and his father who had sellotape on his mouth and hand.
He continued that the store was dark and they were only hearing sounds of scattered items in the house. He said after few minutes his uncle had to switch on the light and shouted out to his younger brother who was asleep in his father’s room to crosscheck if the robbers had gone. He said his younger brother came to their aid and opened the door.
He stated that when they came out of the store they noticed that the mangoes that his father had brought were eaten by the robbers and the peels scattered all over the house.
He said they also noticed that the plasma television, home theater, alternative voltage regulation, mobile phone, laptop, bags, extension cables, electric iron etc. had been stolen by the accused and others.
The witness said that the following morning they went to the Acon Police Station where the reported the matter.
The accused Amadu Sow is answering to charges of conspiracy, robbery with aggravation and assault occasioning to actual bodily harm.
Police alleged that, on Wednesday June 10, 2020 at Potter Hill, Bathurst Village being armed with a cutlass conspired with other persons to rob Hassan Lahai of his properties – black HP computer, Samsung ALC mobile phone, Samsung plasma TV, black DSTV decoder, JSK step down, home theater, extension cable, Sunny set, blood pressure machine, Smart wrist watch, assorted male clothes, Sierratel WiFi, black pack sack, Sierra Leonean passport, US$1000, Le500,000, Sierra Leone I.D Card, all to the total value of Le63, 620,000.
It was also alleged that the accused assaulted Umaru Lahai in a manner causing him serious bodily harm.
The matter was prosecuted by Inspector D. A Taylor, and was adjourned to July 6, 2020.
By Isabella Cassell
2/7/2020. ISSUE NO.: 7856