By Mohamed Foday Conteh
Police Constable 9268 Joseph Collins has continued his testimony in the case against an APC member of parliament, Emmanuel Saidu Conteh and 3 others before a Magistrate in Freetown.
Collins told the court that he and 5 others were assigned to investigate 7 unassembled pistols, 12 empty magazines and 100 live rounds of ammunition all allegedly found in a vehicle. He told the court that they sought the services of specialists in ballistic and cyber issues to assist help investigations.
During the testimony, the officer presented documents including a delivery order from the shipping company Maerskline on the 1st July 2021, a non-negotiable way bill dated 28th June 2021, a deposit slip of the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank and scanning receipt for the 40 feet container among other things. He also presented documents from Maerskline and Ocean Shipping Company based in the United States.
Collins said that he was on duty the day the 1st and 3rd accused persons who worked for Capital Africa Logistics were brought for investigations and that the latter was charged with only conspiracy to commit a felony. He said that the 4th accused person was brought in to assist the investigations.
Officer Collins said that the container marked with serial number MSKU9574643 is exhibit C and that the container in question was carrying 4 vehicles and some other undisclosed items and that the Nissan Pathfinder vehicle carried the serial number MSKU974643. He added that it was the same vehicle in which the arms and ammunition were discovered.
Jesse M. Jengo, representing the 1st accused person, in his cross examination said that the consignee of the container was one Arun Rahim and that it was Rahim that was to receive the container according to Ocean Marine Shipping Company.
Lawyer Lansana Dumbuya, for the 2nd accused person Emmanuel Saidu Conteh, told the court that there was someone that was initially arrested but was not in court but the police witness said that the investigation are still going on.
The lawyer renewed his application for bail on behalf of his client noting that he needed medical attention.
Joseph A.K. Sesay, representing the state, said that the health condition of the second accused could only be determined by a medical report and that he remained opposed to bail.
The case resumes today 21st July 2021.
The 4 accused are in court on a two-count charge of conspiracy to commit a felony and illegal importation of arms and ammunition. The arms and ammunitions were allegedly discovered at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay in a Nissan Pathfinder vehicle said to belong to the Member of Parliament.
Copyright © Politico Online (21/07/21)
