By Francis H Murray
A Freetown High Court Judge Don Bosco Allieu has acquitted and discharged 25 year- old Ibrahim Sorie Sillah of a three count indictment of conspiracy, robbery with violence and burglary and larceny. A jury at the High Court in Freetown unanimously returned a non-guilty verdict in respect of all three counts.
In his summing up address to the jury, Justice Allieu noted that the burden of proof rested on the shoulders of the Prosecution and directed the jury to return a non- guilty verdict in respect of court one because according to him, the charge could only be placed when it involves more than one person, which he said was not the case. He said for robbery to occur, there should be a taking away of the said item reported from the complainant either by force or intimidation and a certain amount of threatening or degree of force must have been used.
He went on to note that in respect of count 3, there must be an entry into another's premises and it has to be at night and with an intention to commit the said offences.
The Prosecutor lawyer Alberta Kargbo led in evidence a total of six witnesses during the course of the trial. The Prosecution had alleged that Sillah on diverse dates between 7th and 9th May 2020, in the western area of Freetown, conspired with other persons unknown to commit an offence.
It is also alleged that the accused robbed Elizabeth Churchill items including one Apple IPad all amounting to four million nine hundred thousand Leones. He was also accused to have broken into the dwelling of Abubarkarr Kamara and stolen money and other items amounting to four million nine hundred and fifty thousand Leones.
The accused was represented by lawyer Cecelia Tucker.
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