By Saio Marrah
Justice Adrian Fisher on Tuesday 4th July ordered the remand at the Male Correctional facility in Freetown of two men- Sulaiman Konikay Tholley, of 1 Bassa Town in Waterloo, and Mohamed Konikay Tholley, of 10 Sesay Lane, also in Waterloo for allegedly stealing properties of Lawrence Larry at Konikay Market, Tombo Park Junction in Waterloo between 1st and 8th March 2021.
The accused, both businessmen, allegedly stole a 30KVA Perkins Generator valued at One Hundred and twenty thousand New Leones (NLE 120,000), one A&V two tons ice machine said to be valued at twenty five thousand New Leones (NLE 25,000) and among others. The properties stolen were valued at two hundred and seventy-three thousand eight hundred New Leones (273,800).
The elderly men appeared in the dock at High Court No.1 in Freetown on Tuesday 4th July 2023, charged with conspiracy to commit larceny, while the first accused also faced a charge of perverting justice.
The first accused in his statement to officers at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) had insisted that the second accused was not at the scene of crime in defence of his perverting of justice charge.
The first accused had told police that the second accused was at Thaneneh and Loma Villages in the Tambakha Chiefdom in Karene District, harvesting timber.
Both men were on bail until last Friday when they were slammed a bench warrant for failing to appear in court.
The bench warrant was later overturned by the presiding Judge after lead defence lawyer, Charles Pujeh applied for a reverse of the decision.
According to Pujeh, the accused’s failure to attend the proceeding was because of miscommunication on the adjournment .
Though he successfully convinced Justice Fisher to overturn the contempt of court case, the defence was unable to get bail for the men.
This was after the state prosecutor, E.A. Zizer objected to bail on the grounds that the court was yet to hear their indictments. The case continues this Friday 7th July 2023.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (07/07/23)
