By Elizabeth Kamara
A 27-year-old commercial motorbike rider, Hassan Fornah, alias “Obio,” has been remanded at the Male Correctional Centre after appearing before Magistrate Kekura at Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown.
Fornah is facing three charges, including conspiracy to commit a crime contrary to law, robbery with aggravation, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm under Section 47 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.
According to the charge sheet, on January 8, 2025, at First Street, Kissy, Freetown, Fornah conspired with other unknown individuals to commit robbery with aggravation.
On the same date and location, while allegedly armed with knives, he robbed Osman Kamara of one black backpack, one iPhone, one Samsung A-30 and two Samsung S-24 Ultra mobile phones. The total value of the stolen items is NLe 20,900, the property of Osman Kamara.
Additionally, Fornah is accused of assaulting Osman Kamara, causing him actual bodily harm. When the charges were read, no plea was taken.
The prosecution, led by Inspector M.K. Taylor, called Detective Police Sergeant 10769 Amidu Conteh from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Ross Road, Kissy.
Detective Conteh testified that he was on duty on January 8, 2025, when the complainant and other individuals arrested and brought in the accused. The complainant formally reported the case.
Conteh further stated that he issued a medical report to Kamara, who later returned with the completed report. The medical report was tendered in court as Exhibit A.
He added that he and Sergeant 9685 Sesay M.M. interrogated the accused in Krio and recorded his statement in English. The statement was read back to Fornah, who confirmed it to be accurate and signed it with his right thumbprint.
On January 9, 2025, Conteh, along with a Scene of Crime Officer (SOCO) and the complainant, visited the crime scene before returning to the station.
Since Fornah was unrepresented by legal counsel, Magistrate Kekura gave him the opportunity to cross-examine the witness.
Due to the seriousness of the charges, Magistrate Kekura denied bail and ordered that Obio be remanded at the Male Correctional Centre.
The matter was adjourned to March 25, 2025, for further proceedings.
