By: Audrey Raymonda John
A 38-year-old man, Richard Briema, appeared before Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah at Pademba Road Magistrate Court No. 1 in Freetown, facing charges of robbery with violence, contrary to Section 23(1)(b) of the Larceny Act, 1916, as repealed and replaced by Section 2 of Act No. 16 of 1971.
According to the indictment, on Thursday, 3rd October 2024, in the Forestry Quarters of Kenema, Briema allegedly robbed Abdulai Darboh of sixteen thousand dollars (equivalent to twenty thousand leones) and a silver wristwatch, the property of Abdulai Darboh.
During the proceedings, police prosecutor Sergeant 9939 Mohamed Lahai calledDPC 13878 Paul Blango, attached to the CID Headquarters at Pademba Road, to testify. Blango recalled that on20th October 2024, while on duty, he received a transfer case and inquiry files relating to the alleged robbery with violence and assault from Kenema for further investigation. The file included a medical report from the complainant, which was produced and tendered as Exhibit D.
Blango further testified that the file contained the statements of the complainant and witnesses, as well as the caution statement of the defendant. These documents, which had been in police custody, were presented in court as Exhibits E1–17.
Based on the evidence, Blango, together with Detective Inspector Hassan Dumbuya and Detective Corporal Conteh T.M., proceeded to charge the defendant with robbery with violence and assault. During the investigation, the defendant was cautioned and questioned in Krio by Detective Inspector Dumbuya. Briema responded in Krio, and his statement was recorded in English. At the end of the statement, it was read and explained to him in Krio, and he acknowledged it as true and correct by affixing his thumbprint. The statement was witnessed by Detective Inspector Dumbuya and signed by him as the recorder. This statement was tendered in court as Exhibits F1–5.
At the conclusion of the testimony, the prosecution requested a short adjournment to submit a no case submission.
Magistrate Jah granted bail to the defendant and adjourned the case to 26th November 2025 for further proceedings.