Justice Sahr Kekura
By Emma Black
Three individuals accused of stealing $7,000 from the home of businessman Kai Kamara made another court appearance before Magistrate Sahr Kekura at Pademba Road Court No. 1 on Thursday, May 1, 2025.
The accused Abubakarr Turay, 37, a stone miner; Fatmata Bangura, 38, also a stone miner; and Kadiatu Turay, 19, a pupil are facing charges of conspiracy to commit a felony and larceny under the larceny Act of 1916, according to the prosecution, the incident took place on January 15, 2025, at Fadika Drive, Hill Station in Freetown, it is alleged that the trio conspired to steal $7,000 (approximately Le170,100) from the complainant, during their initial arraignment, Abubakarr Turay pleaded not guilty to all charges, while his co-accused, Fatmata Bangura and Kadiatu Turay, admitted their involvement.
Prosecution witness number six, detective police constable (DPC) 14010 Forneh Kargbo, attached to the criminal investigations department (CID) at Hill Top police station, testified in court. led in evidence by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ibrahim S. Mansaray, Kargbo recalled that on January 15, 2025, officers visited the residence of the second accused, Fatmata Bangura, to investigate the allegations.
Upon arrival, officers presented a search warrant to all three accused persons and explained the reason for the search in the presence of two neighbors, who were invited to witness the process, during the search, the police discovered Le11,150 and $100 in cash. When questioned, the second accused claimed the money came partly from her petty trading activities and partly as a gift from the complainant.
The search warrant was signed by the second accused, and nothing further of police interest was found during the search, on January 16, both Fatmata Bangura and Kadiatu Turay were separately cautioned and voluntarily provided statements, taken by Sub-Inspector Abdul Dumbuya in the presence of DPC Kargbo.
On January 17, Fatmata Bangura informed police she wished to make a confessional statement, that additional statement was obtained and subsequently tendered in court as part of the prosecution’s evidence.
By January 18, all three accused were formally charged with conspiracy and larceny, their charge statements, obtained in accordance with their caution statements, were also produced and tendered in court.
Magistrate Kekura adjourned the matter to May 12, 2025, all accused persons remain on bail pending further proceedings.
Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on Friday, May 9th, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
