By Ishmael Bangura
FREETOWN, Sep 20 (SALONE TIMES) – Fourth Prosecution witness, in the ongoing preliminary investigation into the alleged illegal importation of arms and ammunitions, Abdul Fatah Rahman on Wednesday 8th September 2021 testified against honorable Member of Parliament, Emmanuel Saidu Conteh, and two others.
The trio is faced with charges of illegal importation of arms and ammunition and aiding and abetting charges. According to police charge sheets, Unisa Raymond Bangura and Kortu Refill faced several counts of charges of illegal importation of arms and ammunitions, while Hon. Emmanuel Saidu Conteh, Member of Parliament of constituency 112 is faced with charges of aiding and abetting.
Rahman, ex-army personnel revealed that his tasks at the Quay constitute inspecting and condition vehicles when unstuffing at the Quay. He said such involve, recording, filing of documents, among others.
He recalled that on Friday 2nd July 2021, while at the vehicle examination site at the Freetown Terminal, at Queen Elizabeth II Quay, performing his duties, he realized a gray Nissan Pathfinder vehicle.
He continued that he took pictures of the said vehicle. “I entered the vehicle in a bid to record the state of its interior, but I discovered a zip at the front seat. I unseal the passenger seat and found a plastic bag that contained unassembled pistols and magazines” Rahman started.
He furthered that he zipped the seat and returned to where the container was. “I later called the consignee agent, Sheriff Jalloh who gave me the delivery order,” he explained.
Rahman furthered that he immediately informed his supervisor, Foday Fofanah, and the Port Intelligent Officer. He added that in the presence of Sheriff Jalloh, he unzipped the front seat, again, and removed the content discovered in the seats (unassembled pistols, magazines, and live rounds).
Rahman informed the court that before long, the crime scene was flooded by security personnel, whiles he retired to his normal duties.
During cross-examination by defense counsel E.T. Koroma Esq. representing the first accused, for the first accused, Rahman confirmed that there was a form filled and signed while conditioning vehicles, for it is what that form that renders him authority to carry out such task.
When asked about the importance of the vehicle owner’s presence during an examination, Rahman said it is not certain but seldom a consignee or representative should be present.
The witness also confirmed that after containers have been unstuffed, property owners are mostly present to look at their property.
Abdul Fata Rahman also ascertained that he was the one who took the arms and placed them in gray plastic.
Responding to cross-examination another defense counsel representing the second accused, J. M. Jengo Esq, the witness verified that he alone opened the vehicle and discovered the arms and that he was deployed in the crime together with a colleague who left to go in search of food.
Responding to counsel representing third accused, Lansana Dumbuya Esq. Fata Rahman acknowledged that there are rules and guides of witness operations at the Quay, but failed to clearly explain these rules to the Court.
The witness explained that once a delivery order had been handed over to them, they don’t inform property owners as to when they will search.
Magistrate Sahr Kekura adjourned the matter to Monday, 13th September 2021. All accused persons are on bail.
