A 27-year-old individual, Hassan Fornah, a professional rider, has been detained on charges of conspiracy, aggravated robbery, and assault. These allegations were formally presented during his court appearance on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.
The defendant appeared before Magistrate Kekura at Pademba Road Court No. 1, facing three charges: conspiracy to commit a felony, robbery with aggravated circumstances, and assault causing actual bodily harm. These charges are alleged violations of Section 47 of the Offences Against the Person Act of 1861.
The charges state that on January 8, 2025, at First Street, Kissy, Freetown, Fornah allegedly conspired with unidentified individuals to commit a felony, specifically aggravated robbery.
The subsequent charge alleges that on the same date and location, the defendant, purportedly armed with bladed weapons, robbed Osman Kamara of a black backpack containing an iPhone, a Samsung A-30, and two Samsung S-24 Ultra mobile phones, with a total value of 20,900 leones.
The third charge claims that on the same date, Fornah inflicted actual bodily harm on Kamara through assault.
Upon the formal reading of the charges, the defendant did not enter a plea.
Inspector M.K. Taylor presented Detective Police Sergeant Amidu Conteh, badge number 10769, from the Criminal Investigation Department on Ross Road, Kissy, Freetown, as a witness. Conteh confirmed his recognition of both the defendant and the complainant in this case.
In his testimony, Conteh reported that on January 8, 2025, while on duty, Kamara and other individuals brought Fornah to the police station to report the incident. He testified that he issued a medical report to the complainant, who returned the same day with the completed report, accepted by the court as Exhibit A.
Conteh explained that he and Sergeant M.M. Sesay, badge number 9685, interrogated the defendant in the Krio language and documented his statement in English. After reviewing and explaining the statement to Fornah in Krio, the defendant confirmed its accuracy and signed it with his right thumbprint.
This statement was retained in police custody and later submitted as evidence in court.
On January 9, Conteh, along with his team and the Scene of Crime Officer, conducted a site visit to the alleged crime location before returning to the police station.
Fornah, appearing without legal representation, was given the opportunity to cross-examine the witness. Magistrate Kekura denied bail and ordered the defendant to be held at the male correctional center. The proceedings have been adjourned until March 25, 2025.
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