By: Audrey Raymonda John
Thirty-six-year-old Patrick Ansumana, a driver, nineteen-year-old Samuel Ansumana, a student, and forty-five-year-old Foday Fornah, a stone miner, made their first appearance before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown. They faced three charges: conspiracy to commit a crime, housebreaking and larceny, and receiving stolen goods. These offenses are in violation of the Larceny Act of 1916, specifically sections 26(1) and 33(1).
According to the particulars of the offense, on Friday, January 3, 2025, at Ya-Marie Drive, Hill Station, in the Western Area of Freetown, the accused allegedly conspired with others, whose identities are unknown, to commit a crime.
Count two further alleges that, on the same date and at the same location, the accused persons, with the intent to steal, broke and entered the dwelling house of Bintu Sankoh. They are accused of stealing one hundred and seventy thousand Leones (170,000), seven hundred United States dollars, and other assorted items, totaling the equivalent of two hundred and thirty-eight thousand six hundred and ten Leones (238,610), all property belonging to Bintu Sankoh.
Count three alleges that on the same date and at the same location, the accused persons received the stolen items one hundred and seventy thousand Leones, seven hundred United States dollars, and other assorted goods worth a total of two hundred and thirty-eight thousand six hundred and ten Leones knowing that these items had been stolen.
The charges were read and explained to the accused persons, but no plea was entered.
The accused were represented by J.T. Mansaray, Esq., who applied for bail on their behalf.
Magistrate Bangura granted bail to the first and second accused persons in the sum of 250,000 Leones, with two sureties each in the same amount. The sureties must provide valid identification cards that display their address in Freetown. The bail conditions are to be approved by the Deputy Assistant Registrar.
The case was adjourned to May 2, 2025, for further proceedings.