By Alimatu Jalloh
Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Ross Road Court No. 1 on Thursday remanded Rashid Mansaray, Saidu Mansaray, Tommy Turay, Suliaman Musa, Feika Aka Butter Rice, Mohamed Kamara, Pastor Sarah Mariama Gevao Aka Mama Pastor and John Kaniako for allegedly conspiring with unknown persons to rob Issa Turay of his Tecno Spark 7 mobile phone, an Iphone, a backpack and other valuables totaling NLe11,530.
The incident occurred on July 23, 2023, at Rogbagba Village on the outskirts of Freetown.
The accused appeared before the court on five counts of conspiracy to commit a felony, robbery with aggravation, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, incitement and malicious damage contrary to law.
It is alleged that the accused, on Wednesday, July 6, 2023, at Rogbagba Village, on the outskirts of Freetown, conspired with unknown persons to commit robbery with aggravation.
It is alleged that the accused, on the same date and place, robbed Isaa Turay of his iPhone and other valuables times valued at twelve thousand, five hundred and fifty leones.
The charge sheet further indicates that the accused on the same date and place assaulted the complainant in a manner thereby causing him grievous bodily harm.
It was also alleged that the accused, on the same date and place malicious damage the complainant’s wooden door and in-lock valued at NLe 950.
The police say the sixth accused, incited the other men to rob the complainant of his valuables worth thousands of leones.
Led in evidence by Assistant Superintendent of Police ( ASP), the prosecution witness Osman M. Bangura said he recognised the accused in respect of the matter and recalled Wednesday, July 26, 2023 when he heard strange noise at his at residence, adding that when he watched at a distance, he saw the accused using all sorts of abusive language.
“I was at a distance when I saw the accused at my residence. When the sixth accused saw me, she instructed her boys to deal with me. When I heard her saying that I dropped the bucket which I was holding and flee for my life,” Isaa told the court.
He disclosed to the court that the accused were well armed. The witness said that when some the accused persons were hitting his door, the first and seventh accused were chasing him.
The witness said he narrated the incident to owner of the said home Mr. Peter.
The witness said he later reported the matter to the Hastings Police Station where he made a statement.
At this juncture, Assistant Superintendent of Police ASP Osman M. Bangura, sought for adjournment to have proper conference with his witness, which was granted.
Defence counsel H. Kamara representing first, fourth, fifth and sixth accused, renewed and adopted his previous application for bail on behalf of his clients.
Responding, Magistrate Kekura refused the accused bail.
The matter was adjourned to September 6, 2023, for further hearing.