By: Audrey Raymonda John
Eighteen defendants have appeared before Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah at Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown on 13 counts ranging from fraudulent conversion to wounding, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and obstruction of police officers.
The defendants 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 Bakarr Sankoh, Mohamed Kamara, Abdulai Bah and Foday Conteh.
The charges included 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 same Act; and obstruction, contrary to Section 112(2) of the Public Order Act 1965.
According to the particulars of offence, on August 26, 2026, at Helena, Kissy, in the Western Area of Freetown, the defendants fraudulently converted to their own use or benefit 36 cartons of frozen fish valued at Le30, 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 August 31, 2026, at Calaba Town Market, Old Road, in the Western Area of Freetown, the first five defendants maliciously wounded Police Constable 18495 Nyakeh Ibrahim Bandabla and Police Constable 18459 Bangalie Ibrahim.
Counts four to twelve further alleged 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.
The final count 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 police duties.
When the charges were read and explained to them, all 18 defendants pleaded guilty.
The prosecutor, Deputy Superintendent of Police Eric A. Deen Esq., informed the court that the defendants were first-time offenders and had no previous criminal records.
Defence counsel Maddieu Sesay Esq. pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy. He submitted that coming into conflict with the law should not mark the end of a person’s life, arguing that the law is also intended to reform offenders.
Counsel further submitted that under the new Criminal Procedure Act, the court had the power to caution and discharge the defendants, and urged the magistrate to exercise leniency.
In his judgment, Magistrate Jah said he had considered the plea in mitigation and the request for mercy made on behalf of the defendants.
The magistrate said he was minded not to impose custodial sentences, taking into consideration that the defendants were first-time offenders with no previous criminal records.
He therefore cautioned and discharged the 7th, 8th and 17th defendants.
The remaining 15 defendants were sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment or a fine of Le2, 500 each, payable to the State.
Magistrate Jah further ordered the defendants to pay Le30, 850, representing the value of the 36 cartons of frozen fish, to the complainants. He also directed them to settle the costs or damages suffered by the affected police officers.