Bo Robbery Case Takes New Turn as CID Officer Drops Key Evidence

Prosecution witness DPC 11692 Paul Jusu, attached to the Major Crime Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), on Monday testified in the ongoing robbery case involving six accused persons before Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah of the Pademba Road Court No.1.

Taking the stand, Jusu identified all six defendants and outlined the investigative steps taken during the probe. He told the court that on 8 August 2025, he received a transfer case and inquiry files from the Bo Regional Office. The files included five endorsed search warrants, which were tendered as Exhibits A1–5, medical reports for victims Michael Lamina and John Lamina, and six caution statements from the accused persons, who were at the time in police custody.

The witness said he registered several exhibits, including an iPhone 13 Pro Max, crowbars, cutlasses, firearms, cartridges, and clothing items, which were subsequently handed over for safekeeping. He further testified that ballistic examinations were requested for the recovered weapons and cartridges on 8 September 2025, while the Cyber Unit conducted call-history analyses on the suspects’ phone numbers.

Additional statements from the accused were obtained on 12 September, and the corresponding reports were reviewed by investigating officers.

Jusu confirmed identifying all six accused persons during the investigation and linked them to the alleged robbery at NASSIT Quarters, Hancil Road, Bo Town, on 28 August 2025. The incident involved the theft of an iPhone 13 Pro Max, a Samsung A23, a Samsung Fold, a silver Apple wristwatch, and three additional wristwatches valued at Le135,790. The accused were said to have been armed with guns and matches and allegedly assaulted victim John Malacheous Baimaigay Lamina during the robbery.

The witness further stated that on 29 August 2025, at Banga Farm, Waterloo, the sixth accused, Alhassan Sesay, allegedly received stolen property, including a Lenovo ThinkPad laptop and an iPhone 13 Pro Max belonging to the same victim.

During cross-examination, it was revealed that the fifth accused, Gbessay Swaray, is a convicted prisoner. The sixth accused is represented by Counsel A.B. Bangura, while the other defendants appeared unrepresented.

The first to fifth accused face charges including conspiracy to commit robbery with aggravation, robbery with aggravation, wounding, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and receiving stolen property. The sixth accused is charged solely with receiving stolen goods. All six defendants pleaded not guilty and were remanded.

Magistrate Jah adjourned the matter to 1 December 2025. The prosecution is led by C.S.P. Ziza.