By Mamajah Jalloh
Freetown, Sierra Leone – A prosecution witness has testified against Samuel Koroma, a 24-year-old labourer, Ibrahim Conteh, a 31-year-old footballer, and Augustine Pratt, a 28-year-old trader, as their trial continues before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Pademba Road Court No. 2. The three accused face charges of conspiracy to commit a felony and being found at night armed with intent to commit a crime, in violation of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the particulars of the offense, on Sunday, August 25, 2024, at Lumley Street in Freetown, the accused were allegedly found armed with a cutlass and a kitchen knife, with the intent to commit a crime. The prosecution claims the trio conspired with unknown individuals to engage in criminal activity.
When the charges were read, all three accused pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution’s first witness, Sergeant 9891 Peter Kaitibi from the Ross Road Police Station Operations Unit, testified that during a routine patrol at around 2:00 a.m. on August 25, 2024, his team intercepted the accused. Upon seeing the police, the first accused allegedly threw a cutlass into a dustbin, while the second accused discarded a kitchen knife under a nearby step. The items were recovered, and the accused were arrested and taken to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further questioning.
Sergeant Kaitibi stated that when asked why they were armed, the first accused claimed they were waiting for a colleague to accompany them to Lumley-Aberdeen for an operation.
The accused, who are not legally represented, cross-examined the witness.
Magistrate Bangura denied bail and remanded the accused to the Male Correctional Facility in Freetown. The case has been adjourned to October 8, 2024, for further hearings.
