By: Edrie Caleb John
Twenty-four-year-old Samuel Koroma, thirty-one-year-old Ibrahim Conteh, a footballer, and twenty-eight-year-old Augustine Pratt, a trader, made another appearance before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown. They face two counts of conspiracy to commit a felony contrary to law and being found at night armed with intent to commit a crime, as stated under Section 28 (1) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the particulars of the offense, on Sunday, August 25, 2024, at Lumley Street in the western area of Freetown, the accused conspired together, along with other persons unknown, to commit a felony by being found at night armed with a cutlass and a kitchen knife with intent to commit a crime.
When the charges were read and explained, the accused pleaded not guilty.
Deputy Superintendent of Police led prosecution witness number one, Sergeant 9891 Peter Kaitibi, who is attached to the Operations Unit at Ross Road Police Station. He recalled that on August 25, 2022, he was part of the operation team on patrol at about 2:00 AM. While on patrol at Lumley Street, they intercepted the accused. The first accused was in possession of a cutlass, which he dropped into a dustbin upon seeing the police. The second accused was holding a knife, which he threw under a nearby step. They were arrested, and the knife and cutlass were retrieved.
When questioned about their possession of these items, the first accused claimed they were there to collect a colleague to go to the Lumley-Aberdeen area for an operation. The witness concluded that he made a report and provided further details to the Criminal Investigation Department.
The accused were not legally represented and cross-examined the witness.
Magistrate Bangura refused bail and sent the accused to the male correctional facility in Freetown. The matter was adjourned to October 8, 2024.
