APC Sheriff & Other Remanded in Custody
By: Bonnke Fofanah
Justice Adrian Fisher has remanded in custody Alpha Sheriff Alias APC Sheriff and Alhaji Saidu Fofanah who were charged on allegations of operating a private security service without lawful authority and possession of fire arms without lawful authority.
It was agreed in court that the matter be tried by judge alone instead of by judge and jury.
The accused persons arraigned in court on three count charges to wit operating a private security service without valid license, possession of small Arms without license, and concealing Arms unlawfully.
According to the particulars of offence, on the 7th day of June 2023 in Bo, the Southern Province of the republic of Sierra Leone operated a private security service without a valid license.
On count two on the above date and place, the accused persons were found in possession of one grey and black Taurus Armas Revolver Pistol with serial number ACB 569232 (856) without a valid license.
On count three, the accused persons on the above date and place unlawfully concealed one grey and black Taurus Armas Revolver Pistol with serial number ACB 569232 (856).
The accused persons pleaded not guilty.
Counsel representing the accused persons, Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara, renewed and adopted his previous bail applications for and on behalf of the accused persons.
According to him, Murder, Robbery and Corruption Offences with millions of dollars theft have been granted bail in court.
Going further with his bail application, he said that the accused persons have been behind bars for more than a year for a regulatory offences, and both accused persons’ relatives have been restricted from visiting them.
Responding to the bail applications made by the defense counsel, the State’s Prosecutor Yusif Isaac Sesay Esq, submitted that the first accused person on count one and two is not a regulatory offence and the offense are serious in nature going by the Central Intelligent act 2023. He further informed the court that they intend to bring their witnesses on the next adjourned date, adding that, he refused the bail application.
Justice Adrian Fisher explained to the accused persons that the matter started in November but pleaded with both the defense and prosecuting counsels to exercise patient and the matter will be expedited to ensure that justice is served. However, he refused the bail application and remanded the accused persons at the male correctional center in Freetown and the matter was adjourned to the 19th April 2024.
