Chief Immigration Officer in Court
In an ongoing matter of theft of $100,000 from the house of the Chief Immigration Officer (CIO), Hon. Alusine Kanneh, on 3rd of September,2024, 5 suspects were apprehended and charged to Court.
During examination in chief on Monday, of the 5th accused, Sheku Kanneh, who was used to testify in favour of the state as a prosecution witness, he explained that he was at home and knows nothing about the money and cannot tell whether the accused persons actually stole the money.
PW1 is said to be a relative of Hon. Kanneh and was employed by the Complainant, Hon. Kanneh, and prior to his testimony in Court, was arrested and incarcerated at ‘Benghazi’ for questioning, where, as 5 accused, he claimed that he was tortured to say certain things beyond his will.
However, PW1, Shuku Kanneh, after his first testimony in Court, failed to appear in court for cross-examination by the Defense Counsel on 9th…..In this regard, Defence Counsel insisted that for justice to prevail the witness should be cross-examined before taking any other witness, but the Magistrate insisted that the matter should proceed despite the absence of PW1, and PW2, which is the complainant, Hon. Kanneh, was led in evidence by the Prosecution.
In his testimony, Hon. Kanneh maintained that his USD 100,000 was stolen at his residence on the 3rd of September,2024, adding that when he noticed that the money was missing, he took the 5th accused, Shuku Kanneh, who testified as PW1, to Benghazi for questioning.
After his testimony, the formal witness, which is the police investigator, testified, and after cross examination, the Prosecution informed the court that it has closed its case. The Defense then raised an objection that the Prosecution cannot close its case when an important witness to the matter has not been cross-examined.
The Magistrate ruled that since the witness cannot come to court, the matter will proceed and that the testimony of the absent witness will be struck out of the records.
The 4 accused persons said they want to testify on oath and the matter was adjourned to Monday.
However, there are concerns raised by people following the case about a blatant violation of a Government directive from the Bank of Sierra Leone by the Chief Immigration Officer, which slams a ban on the holding of more than $10,000 in the custody of any citizen. Questions being asked by many citizens is whether CIO Kanneh is above the directive of the government?