On Monday, 8th February 2021, Mohamed Saccoh testified against Abdulai Sidibay, Ali Kamara and Saidu Senesie in an Le18 million malicious damage case before Magistrate W. John of Magistrate Court No. 1 at Ross Road in Freetown.
Saccoh who lives at Kissy Bye Pass Road, said he was at No. 17 Africanus Road, Kissy on Wednesday, 25th November 2020 at a building construction site at around 9:30am with his workers when he saw a group of people coming to the site. He identified the three accused persons in the dock as being among the group. They came and stopped him from doing his work, he said, adding that they damaged his blocks, insulted him and blocked the road.
The witness said during that period, he called the Ross Road Police Station for help, and officers came to his aid and arrested the three accused persons. Later, the Scene of Crime Officer (SOCO) and the Investigating Officer (IO) went to the scene of crime and took photos of the damaged blocks. The blocks belong to Mohamed Ali Sillah, who is constructing shops for him.
At this juncture, the prosecuting police officer, ASP O. Bangura tendered the photos as evidence, which were admitted without objection. The witness later informed the court of other witnesses he would call to substantiate his claims.
Then, lawyer R.S. Bangura made representation for the three accused persons after the witness testified. He pleaded with the court for an adjourned date to familiarise himself with his witness’s testimony for cross examination. This request was granted by Magistrate W. John.
Meanwhile, the three accused are charged with malicious damage contrary to Section 51 of the Malicious Damage Act 1861. The trio are accused of damaging 1,500 cement bricks valued at Le 18 million property of Mohamed Saccoh.
The case was adjourned to 17th February 2021.
DT/09/02/2021
By david.thoronka@awokonewspaper.sl