By Jonathan Hindolo Kurabu Esq. (D Catalyst)
The Bo Magistrate Court No. 1 has commenced preliminary investigations into the case involving eight suspects accused of robbing Apostle Tommy Aaron Benny Yormah at his residence in Banga Farm, Madina Section, Kakua Chiefdom, Bo District.
The alleged armed robbery occurred on Tuesday 25th July, 2024, at approximately 1:10 AM.
The Prosecution, led by Inspector A. Kamara Esq., called Prosecution Witness 1 (PW1), Apostle Tommy Yormah, to give testimony. In his evidence, the Apostle recounted how, while preparing for his routine night prayers, he heard unfamiliar voices outside his house. Looking through his window, he saw strange faces in his compound who claimed they were there to “guard him” for the night.
Apostle Tommy Yormah testified that the men, later identified as the accused robbers, proceeded to cut the iron guards on his window, forcing their way into his house.
One of the intruders struck him on the side of the head with a machete, while another, wielding a gun, demanded money from him. Meanwhile, the other intruders searched the house for valuables.
During the ordeal, Apostle Tommy Yormah requested permission to use the toilet and was escorted by one of the suspects, identified as the 5th accused.
Upon his return, the man with the gun suggested killing him, but another robber objected, stating that killing was not part of their mission. Instead, the robbers locked Apostle Tommy Yormah and his children in a toilet before making their escape with stolen items, including footwear, suits, dresses, two smartphones (one of which was an Apple iPad), jewelry and cash worth Le 510,750.
The robbers were later tracked by the Cyber Unit in Bo through one of the stolen mobile phones. The accused were arrested during a failed robbery attempt at Sierra Rutile and detained at the Bo West Police Station.
On 19th August 2024 and 2nd September 2024, Apostle Tommy Yormah identified all eight suspects during an identification parade.
With the exception of Abbess Kabba, represented by lawyers K.S. Coomber Esq., E.S. Campbell and H. Baker Esq., the remaining seven accused are currently unrepresented.
Resident Magistrate, George Edwin, presides over the case and cross-examination of the prosecution’s witness by the Defense Counsel for the second accused was postponed to the next court session on 26th September, 2024.
All accused have been remanded in custody for safekeeping.
In a related matter, four Police Officers, including the Operations Driver for the Bo East Police Station, are scheduled to make their first court appearance on 26th September 2024 before Magistrate George Edwin.
They are charged with multiple serious offenses, including murder, conspiracy and robbery with aggravation.
The officers are alleged to have been involved in the murder of two individuals during a robbery operation in Bo and a bank robbery at Taiama Village along the Bo/Freetown Highway.
Further details will follow later….
