By Mamajah Jalloh
Freetown, Sierra Leone — The case of The State vs. Sheku Kabba alias I.D Card and others took a significant turn on Monday, September 2, 2024, as the trial continued before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Court No. 2, Pademba Road. The accused, Sheku Kabba alias I.D Card, along with other individuals, faces charges related to the theft of a 264-carat diamond.
In today’s proceedings, the Prosecuting Counsel, Yusif Isaac Sesay, presented a second witness to provide testimony regarding the alleged theft. The witness, a miner from Kono, detailed her involvement and observations concerning the incident.
According to her testimony, the witness is familiar with the accused, particularly Mr. Ben, who works at a mining company, and the first and second accused, including Sheku Kabba alias I.D Card. She recounted an incident that took place in Peyima Town while she was on duty in a mining pit.
The witness described how, during their work, she and her colleagues, Sasco and A Boy, discovered a diamond. She recalled that Sasco mentioned the diamond to her, but it was quickly seized by A Boy and then handed over to T Boy, the second accused. T Boy subsequently passed the diamond to I.D Card. The accused reportedly celebrated the find and instructed everyone to leave the pit area.
The witness also mentioned a meeting that made her uncomfortable and subsequent visits from the accused to her residence, during which they requested her assistance in denying any knowledge of the diamond when questioned by Mr. Ben. They allegedly promised her financial compensation in return.
Under cross-examination by Defense Counsel Jessie Jengo, the witness was asked detailed questions about how the diamond was picked up and whether A Boy snatched it from Shar Moywa. She reaffirmed her earlier statements and described the diamond as large, white, and shiny.
The Magistrate adjourned the case to September 9, 2024, for the next hearing.
