By Fatima Kpaka
Two Chinese nationals, Wu Jing and Kong Faxxin are being investigated before Magistrate Marke Ngegba of Pademba Road Court No. 1 for allegedly stealing a vehicle worth $ US 70,000 from one Zhan Guaxin (Mike) another Chinese.
The matter was first heard on Monday September 19th 2020, when the two accused persons were charged for the crimes of conspiracy, larceny and for being accessories after the fact to the crime of larceny contrary to section 35 of the Larceny Act 1916.
The police are claiming on the first count that on Thursday 21st April 2022 at a garage at 58 Sir Samuel Lewis Road Aberdeen, conspired with other persons steal the vehicle.
Furthermore the police are claiming that the accused persons on the same date and place, stole the vehicle in question a jeep with registration number ASV 177 valued at $US 70,000 equivalent to Le 921,897,614,444.89 property of Zhan Guaxin (Mike).
The police are also claiming in the third count that the accused did steal the sum of seventy six thousand united state dollars equivalent to (Le 1, 917,409,968.74) also property of the complainant.
Count four added that the accused persons stole a white Volvo jeep with registration number ASV 977 from Zhan Guaxin on the 21st April 2022 and on other days the second accused Kong Faxxin thereafter, received, comfort, harbor, assist and maintain the first accused Wu Jing.
After the charges had been read against both of the accused persons they pleaded not guilty to the charges assisted by an interpreter pleaded. Defense counsel, J. M. Jengo applied both of the accused persons to be admitted to bail for his clients citing section 79 of the Criminal Procedure Act No. 32 of 1965.
He added that the offences for which his clients had been charged to court were mere allegations. He said that if his clients were put on bail they will not jump bail neither would they interfere with the prosecution.
At this juncture Magistrate Ngegba admitted both accused persons to bail in the sum of Le 300,000,000 with a surety each in like sum. He said the sureties should be Sierra Leoneans resident in the Country who should be gainfully employed. He adjourned the matter to the 3rd of October 2022.