By Abass Jalloh
Two persons have been charged for unlawfully entering into a land that is under the watch of one Michael Jalloh, the complainant, at Tokeh village, Goderich, Freetown, and maliciously damaging a makeshift structure (pan body).
The accused, Bernard Tawarally (1st) and Alfred Thompson (2nd) made their first appearance at the Magistrate Court No. 2 on Wednesday 27th July 2022 to answer to charges of trespassing, malicious damage, and larceny contrary to the laws of Sierra Leone.
The charge sheet stated that on the 29th of June 2022 at Tokeh village at Goderich in Freetown they unlawfully entered into the complainant's land and maliciously damaged a makeshift structure.
It further stated that on the same date and place they stole two tons of iron rods, ten bags of cement, cap nails, and other properties all valued at thirty-nine million, six hundred and fifty thousand Leones (Le 39,650,000).
Led in evidence by the State Prosecutor, Charles Pujeh, the complainant who is a businessman testified that on the 29th of June 2022, he received a phone call from his caretaker that both accused persons and thugs had entered the land and demolished the structure and carted away ten bags of cement, zinc, nails and other properties amounting to thirty-nine million six hundred and fifty thousand (Le 39,650,000).
Pujeh said the land is owned by his family and that it was handed over to him through a power of attorney as a caretaker.
He said both accused claimed ownership of the said land beat up his boys and also causing property damage.
He claimed said both accused reported him to the Local Unit Commander (LUC) at the Adonkia Police Station in Goderich, Freetown, alleging that he had built on their land.
He said on Monday 27th of June 2022, the accused persons reported him to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters in Freetown where he was detained for five days.
During cross-examination by defence counsel, the witness stated that he was not at the scene of the alleged incident.
He said he never saw anyone carrying away anything because by then he was in detention at the CID headquarters.
Pujeh stated that he is not the sole owner of the land in question but that he is the caretaker.
Having heard the application of bail for the accused persons, Magistrate Mark Ngegba granted one hundred million Leones bail (Le 100,000,000) to Tarawally with sureties showing proof as residents of Freetown with utility bills. The case was adjourned to the 4th of August 2022.
