US citizen detained for stealing bag in Sierra Leone

Abdul Aziz Bangura, a US citizen and former footballer for Eastend Lions and Old Edwardians football clubs Thursday 2^nd, February was refused bail, sent to the central maximum prison for allegedly stealing travelling luggage of one Saidu Sesay at Lungi airport.  (US suspect Abdul Aziz Bangura in handcuffs at CID office)

Abdul Aziz was before Magistrate M B Shyllon of Court 3 on charges of conspiracy and larceny contrary to the Larceny Act of 1916.

In the particulars of offence it is stated that the accused on diverse dates between 1 and 31 December 2011, at the Lungi International Airport, stole the travelling luggage of Saidu Sesay.

In his testimony, the police witness Andrew Konneh said he is Detective Police Constable 9500 attached to the Economic and Financial Crime Syndicate at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Freetown.

He said he recalled January 28th 2012. That he was on duty at the CID when complainant of larceny was made by Saidu Sesay- now complainant.

That the accused was brought to CID headquarter by the complainant and two police officers from Congo Cross police station.

He told the court however that case was assigned to him for investigation and in the process together with his colleague detective police constable 12148 Feika interviewed the accused.

He said a team of police officers under the command of Inspector A M Kamara in company of the complainant executed a search warrant at the house of the accused where eventually they discovered the following items: one phone box marked – Kadie Lako of Magburaka with telephone numbers 077433901, one pair of D&G sunglasses and one iPad cord.

The discovered items were later identified by the complainant as part of the property stolen from him.

“We also conducted another search at the offices of Air Brussels at Aberdeen on 31 January 2012, and received from the deputy station manager Ernest Aruna Somasa, a plain hand luggage bag that was brought to his office some time back.

The luggage, he said, was a bag and marked ‘Abdul A. Bangura.’

“It is presently with the exhibit clerk.”

“I later questioned the accused with regard to the bag.” “At first he denied being the owner, but when eventually it was opened, he had no way to deny at all.”

“My Lord,” the police witness said, “we discovered a CD plate bearing photo of the accused and his wife, two pairs of footwear, and other items.  It was then that he has to admit being the owner of the bag”

The leading defense lawyer, Solomon Jamiru applied for bail and drew the attention of the court to evidence reported as mere allegation against his client.

He cited section 79 of Criminal Procedure Act of 1965 and said that the accused is a dual citizen – US and Sierra Leone – and that his traveling document can be submitted to the court if need be.

Even the associate prosecution lawyer, Sahid Mohamed Sesay objected to bail, the accused was granted a bail condition of Le100 million plus two sureties, one of whom should be a house owner and must submit his title deeds to the Master and Registrar of the High Court.

That the accused should also surrender his travelling documents including his US passport book to the Court as part of the bail conditions.

The accused was taken to the central prison for not meeting to bail conditions.

Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!

© 2012, https:. All rights reserved.