‘Waka Fine’ Bus Validator Arraigned for allegedly Duplicating Tickets
By Alimatu Jalloh
One Charlie Ahmed Winchester, a validator for the Waka Fine bus, has been Arraigned before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Pademba Road Court No.1 in Freetown on three counts of defraud and forgery contrary to section 4(1) of The Forgery Act 1913.
According to the particulars of the offence, the accused on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at Bai Bureh Road, Calaba Town, Freetown, with the intent to defraud, forged two booklets of Sierra Leone Transport Authority bus ticket (WAKA FINE)
The police also alleged that, Charlie on the same date and place, allegedly altered two booklets of Sierra Leone Transport Authority bus tickets (WAKA FINE) knowing same to have been forged.
On count three, the accused obtained money by false pretense contrary to section 32 (1) of The Larceny Act 1916. It is alleged that the accused on the same date and place, with the intent to defraud, obtained the sum of Nle 1,000.00 from Alfred Kamara with the pretext that he had two booklets of Sierra Leone Transport Authority bus ticket (WAKA FINE) for sale knowing same to be false.
Shortly after the matter was mentioned with both defense and prosecution counsels present, Inspector Tamba Abel Paul Sellu presented the first prosecution witness, Abel Junisa, an employee for the Sierra Leone Public Transport Authority.
The witness identified himself as the technical support staff attached to the technical unit for Waka Fine bus, adding that his duties include protection and monitoring road transport management.
Abel Junisa identified the accused person as a validator for ‘waka fine’ bus.
He mentioned that on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, he was on duty when he received a called from his boss who informed him about the matter which was investigated police at the headquarters of Criminal Investigation Department.
The witness explained that upon his arrival at the CID headquarters, he met Alpha Kamara in police custody with ‘waka fine’ bus tickets, which had been duplicated.
Junisa stated that when he was at the Criminal Investigation Department, he identified himself to the police and asked for permission to look at the tickets, which was granted to him by the police.
He said that upon observation he realised that the tickets had the same series numbers.
Junisa told the court that upon investigation, it was discovered that Alpha Kamara bought the ‘waka fine’ bus ticket from the accused person who happens to be the bus validator.
At this juncture, A.O Gbla, lawyer representing the accused, renewed the bail application on behalf of his client, but his applicated was rejected by Magistrate Sahr Kekura.
The matter was adjourned to September 11, 2024, for further hearing.