By Haja Adama Kamara.
Four accused persons who were charged in connection with the alleged theft case at the residence of the Commissioner of the National Commission for Social Action (NACSA), Dr. Sao Kpato Hannah Isatta Max-Kyne have appeared in court.
Police alleged that Musa Kargbo, on Wednesday 10th February 2021, at No. 104 Regent Road, Hill Station in Freetown, conspired with some other individuals to break the safe of the complaint and stole the sum of $9,800 USD equivalent to Le 180 million Leones.
Police also alleged that the accused together with three other stole several items from the residence of the complaint (Dr. Max-Kyne), Commissioner at NACSA, running into millions of Leones.
According to the indictment, the total sum of money is Le454 million Leones, property of Dr. Max-Kyne.
Police slammed five counts of conspiracy contrary to law, Assessor after the fact to House Breaking and Larceny contrary to law, malicious damage contrary to Section 51 of the Malicious Damage Act, among others.
Prosecution witness and victim, Saio Kamara, a rensident of Grafton, and an employee of Sharp Security Service, recognized the complaint and victim in the matter who is also the first prosecution witness.
He told the Court that he works as a night guard at the victim’s residence where he was deployed.
He recognized only the first accused in the dock, adding that both of them work at Dr. Sao’s residence.
He recalled that on the 10th of February 2021, the complainant told him that she was going on a trip to Port Loko. He said the complainant entrusted the house to him and his colleagues. He added that the complainant left behind an assignment for him and the first accused to do, for which she gave them the sum of Le 250,000, but he told the Court that the first accused refused to take any part.
“When the complainant left for Port Loko, I left the premises for I had completed my night duty. The following day, I reported at the complainant’s residence, but Musa who is supposed to be on duty wasn’t there. I asked after him, and I was told he went to Waterloo,” he disclosed.
He furthered that Musa was nowhere to be found, noting that he called Musa’s phone but to no avail. Kamara said he continued the search for Musa, but hadn’t any knowledge of his whereabouts, adding that he also intimated the other security of Musa’s disappearance.
He also disclosed that it is only Musa that had access to the complaint’s apartment, for he does the entire house cleaning and cooking, among other things.
When the complainant returned from her trip, she discovered that one of her doors which she had looked was open. “A few minutes later, I heard the complaint saying Musa has killed her,” he said. He revealed that he had not seen Musa until yesterday when he was arraigned in court.
During cross-examination, defense counsel, lawyer I.S.Y. Kamara enquired as to how many security that are on guard at the complainant’s residence, the witness disclosed that they are five in number.
The witness also reiterated that he does not know the second, third, and fourth accused, adding he had never seen them. He told the Court that he did see the complainant gave keys to the accused, instructing him to switch off the light at her apartment.
Defense counsel renewed his application for bail on behalf of the first accused person. Lawyer Kamara noted that the matter can still bevlooked into even if granted bail.
He assured that he will admonish his client to always avail himself when needed, adding that his client will not interfere with prosecution witnesses. However, defense counsel vehemently opposed to bail. She disclosed that the prosecution will bring evidence to court against the first accused and to show the involvement of other accused persons.
Magistrate Sahr Kekura ruled that if the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th accused that he had earlier placed on bail remain a flight risk they should not be placed on bail. He sent all of them to remand and he adjourned the matter to the 5th July 2021.
