Magistrate Sahr Kekura from Ross Road Court No. 1 has made the decision to detain three individuals, namely Ibrahim Kebay, Yusuf Kamara, and Isatu Kamara, at the Male and Female Correctional Centers located on Pademba Road in Freetown. These individuals stand accused of stealing 200 bags of parboiled Indian rice, while the third accused, Isatu Kamara, is specifically charged with receiving 45 bags of parboiled rice, knowing that they were obtained through theft.
The stolen rice holds a total value of one hundred and twenty-seven thousand Leones (NLE270,000), and the complainant in this case is Abdul Kebay. The charges brought against the accused include conspiracy, larceny, and receiving stolen goods, all of which are in violation of the law and have led to their arrest on 1st July 2023. They were apprehended by Detective Police Constable (DPC) 12144 Jalloh and subsequently presented before the court.
According to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Kebay and Yusuf Kamara colluded with unidentified individuals on 21st June 2023 at No. 57 Main Motor Road in Waterloo, located on the outskirts of Freetown, in order to steal two hundred bags of Indian rice valued at NLE270,000, which belonged to Abdul Kabay.
The charge sheet further reveals that Isatu Kamara, the third accused, received 54 bags of stolen Indian parboiled rice, worth NLE29,250, from Yusuf Kamara on the same date and at the same location in Freetown.
During the court proceedings, Defense Counsel A. K. Kamara, representing the third accused, applied for bail on behalf of his client. He assured the court that his client is a Sierra Leonean citizen and that reliable individuals are willing and prepared to serve as sureties.
Lawyer Kamara emphasized that his client would not interfere with the prosecution's witnesses and based his bail application on Section 79(2), (3), and (3) of the Criminal Procedure Act No. 32 of 1965. He stressed that if granted bail, the accused would consistently appear in court as required. Additionally, Mr. Kamara expressed apologies to the bench for his client's previous tardiness and assured that such behaviour would not recur, promising to provide appropriate guidance to his client.
In response, the prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Osman M. Bangura, objected to granting bail due to the significant monetary value involved in the case. Despite the defense not receiving an affidavit opposing bail, ASP Bangura maintained his objection.
After considering the arguments presented, Magistrate Kekura denied bail for the accused and ordered their remand at the Male and Female Correctional Center on Pademba Road in Freetown. The case has been adjourned until 20th July 2023 for further proceedings.