Male Correctional Centre

By Emma Black

Ibrahim Kamara, 33, a commercial motorbike rider, and Abdul Bangura, 28, who is unemployed, appeared before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown on multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit a felony, robbery with violence, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

According to court documents, on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at Will Street in the Western Area of Freetown, the two accused conspired with unknown individuals to commit robbery with violence.

Prosecutors allege that on the said date and location, Kamara and Bangura robbed one Aminata Kallon Kamara of 120 packets of fried plantain and Le600 in cash, totaling a value of Le1,000. The accused allegedly used personal violence during the robbery. Additionally, the prosecution claims the accused assaulted the complainant, resulting in actual bodily harm.When the charges were read in court, no pleas were taken.

The prosecution, led by Assistant Superintendent of police Ibrahim S. Mansaray, presented three witnesses. Among them was a formal witness who tendered several exhibits into evidence.

Delivering judgment, magistrate Kekura noted that the prosecution had successfully presented its case, and the accused, who were unrepresented, chose not to cross-examine any of the witnesses. At the close of the prosecution’s case, the matter proceeded to summary trial in accordance with Section 122 of the criminal procedure Act No. 32 of 1965.

In his defense, Ibrahim Kamara relied on the statement he had earlier made to the police, he admitted to being at the scene when he heard the complainant shouting “Thief, thief he claimed he found his co-accused being held by the complainant and that he recovered a mobile phone from his co-accused’s pocket, which he then returned to the complainant. He also stated that he released his co-accused to another bike rider who later arrived at the scene.

However, prosecution witness 3, who described himself as an eyewitness, testified that he went outside to urinate when he heard a commotion, on reaching the scene, he found the complainant and the co-accused in a confrontation, with the stolen phone in the co-accused’s possession, the witness questioned why Kamara was not seen at the scene during the incident.

Despite the discrepancies, the magistrate held that the totality of the evidence particularly the admission by Kamara that he was at the scene and the corroborating testimony from the complainant supported the prosecution’s case, the magistrate ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Kamara pleaded for leniency, noting that this was his first offense, however, magistrate Kekura sentenced him to two years and six months at the Male Correctional Centre, he was also given the option to pay a fine of Le3,000.

Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on Friday, May 9th, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)