By: Audrey Raymonda John
Eighteen defendants have been remanded at the Male Correctional Centre after appearing before Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah at Pademba Road Court No. 1 on 13 counts of alleged fraudulent conversion, wounding, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and obstruction.
The accused are Mohamed Sesay, Ibrahim Sorie Kanu, Abdulai Kamara, Abu Bakarr Sankoh, Alpha Fornah, Adama Koroma, Haja N’mah Koroma, Zainab Sesay, Fullah Sesay, Mariatu Fofanah, Daniel Conteh, Bockarie Swarray, Gibrilla Sesay, Abdul Bangura, Abu Bakar Sankoh, Mohamed Kamara, Abdulai Bah and Foday Conteh.
The charges include one count of fraudulent conversion, contrary to Section 20(1)(iv)(b) of the Larceny Act 1916; two counts of wounding, contrary to Section 20 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861; nine counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, contrary to Section 47 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861; and one count of obstruction, contrary to Section 112(2) of the Public Order Act 1965.
According to the particulars of the first count, on 26 August 2026 at Helena, Kissy, in the Western Area of Freetown, the defendants allegedly fraudulently converted to their own use or benefit 36 cartons of frozen fish valued at NLe30, 850. The fish had allegedly been entrusted to them by Rebecca Tommy and her business partners, Mariama Kamara and Hawa Jalloh, for delivery to Aunty Isatu in Kenema.
Counts two and three alleged that on 31 August 2026 at Calaba Town Market, Old Road, in the Western Area of Freetown, the first to fifth defendants maliciously wounded Police Constable 18495 Nyakeh Ibrahim Bandabla and Police Constable 18459 Bangalie Ibrahim.
Counts four to twelve further allege that the defendants assaulted PC 18495 Nyakeh Ibrahim Bandabla, PC 18459 Bangalie Ibrahim, PC 17936 Samura Idrissa, Rebecca Tommy, Mariama Kamara and Hawa Jalloh, thereby occasioning them actual bodily harm.
Count thirteen alleged that, on the same date and at the same location, the defendants obstructed PC 17936 Samura Idrissa, PC 18495 Nyakeh Ibrahim Bandabla and PC 18459 Bangalie Ibrahim while they were carrying out their lawful duties.
When the charges were read and explained to the defendants, no plea was taken because the matter is before the court as committal proceedings.
The prosecution, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Eric A. Deen, informed the court that copies of the case and inquiry files had been served on defence counsel.
Defence counsel, Maddieu Sesay, Esq., confirmed receipt of the documents and applied for bail on behalf of all the defendants pursuant to Section 76(c) of the Criminal Procedure Act 2024.
However, Magistrate Jah refused the bail application, citing the seriousness of the alleged offences.
The matter was subsequently adjourned to 9 September 2026.