By Saio Marrah
Detective Abu Bakarr Kargbo has testified at the start of preliminary investigations into a treason case against Alie Badara Kanu alias Captain Makeni and Thaimu Bangura as first and second accused persons respectively.
Led in evidence by State Prosecutor, Yusif Isaac Sesay, Detective Kargbo told Magistrate Santigie Bangura on Wednesday August 21, 2024 that on April 21st this year, he was on duty at the headquarters of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Freetown when he was told to obtain Voluntary Caution Statement from the first accused on treason and other related offences.
The witness said he confiscated the first accused’s mobile phone and forwarded it to the Cyber Crime Unit of the CID for forensic analysis. He said on that same day, together with his colleagues, Detective Inspector Hassan Dumbuya obtained a contemporaneous statement from the first accused, but that the interview was suspended while waiting for the report from the Cyber Unit.
According to the witness, the interview recommenced on April 25 and that certain revelations manifested from the first accused’s mobile phone following which the interview was suspended again. He said on June 27, 2024, they confronted the accused with the revelations in respect of the forensic analysis from his mobile phone and proceeded to charge him with Treason and Misprision of Treason on July 29, 2024.
The case resumes on Wednesday November 28, 2024.
Copyright © 2024 Politico (21/08/24)
