By Francis H. Murray
Detective Inspector Joseph Abu Barkarr Sanu of the Scientific Support Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department testified on Wednesday in the ongoing preliminary investigations into a three-count charge including conspiracy and having in possession a firearm without valid license against the wife of former defence minister, Alfred Paolo Conteh. The case is before Magistrate Hannah Bonnie in Freetown.
The witness, PW4, recalled that he was on duty on 8th May 2020, when Detective Sergeant 8904 Solomon Amadu of the Major Incident Unit of the CID headquarters handed over to him some items for examination, which he did, and compiled his findings into a report signed and dated 11th May 2020.
The 4th prosecution witness added that the items included two small packets, each containing live rounds of ammunition, a black pouch containing one empty pistol magazine, one fire arms locker with two keys and assorted Gluck safety action manual for pistols.
The witness said that he carried out a physical examination to know whether they are conventional materials or locally made and which firearms could chamber them, noting that an international organization responsible for the standardization of fire arms requires that all fire arms machines must carry ‘‘conspicuous’’ markings for the purpose of identification.
He added that the examination found out that the 40 live ammunitions had not passed through any action of a fire arm because their prima was still intact and that the said ammunitions could be fired by a 4.0 fire arm or any other fire arm.
Detective Sanu said he also found out that the magazine was 0.45 millimeter and capable of housing 13 rounds of 4.5 inches of ammunition and could fit into any of its objects conveniently.
Under cross-examination by Lawyer Wara Serry-Kamal, the witness said he examined each cartridge during the course of his examination and that a Gluck 17 pistol could not conventionally fire the 40 live rounds but could traditionally be used by some people.
Detective Superintendent 8904 Solomon Amadu of the Major Incident Unit of the CID, who is PW3 in the case, also testifying earlier, recalled that he was on duty on the 8th May 2020 when a team of detectives was sent with a search warrant to the house of the accused.
The witness said that Detective Inspector Alimamy Alex Kamara handed over to him some items which included two small packets, each containing live rounds of ammunition, a black pouch containing one empty pistol magazine, one fire arms locker with two keys and assorted Gluck safety action manual for pistol to be handed over to the ballistic unit of the CID for examination. He added that he handed over the items to the ballistic expert for examination.
Under cross-examination by lawyer Wara Serry Kamal, the witness noted that he was not part of the team sent to conduct the search at the premises of the accused person and could not tell when the search was conducted.
The prosecution alleges that Isata Saccoh, on the 29th of April, 2020, conspired with other persons unknown to commit a felony by facilitating the escape of her husband Major Alfred Paolo Conteh from the custody of the Sierra Leone Correctional Services at Pademba Road and also had in her possession fire arms and ammunitions without lawful authority.
The matter was adjourned to the 16th September 2020.
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