By: Audrey Raymonda John
Four individuals appeared before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at the Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown on multiple charges, including conspiracy, shop breaking, larceny, and receiving stolen goods.
The accused 32-year-old Joseph Fornah, a miner; 29-year-old Mamoud Kamara, a motorbike rider; 24-year-old Farah Sesay, a businessman; and Maada Wahab Allieu, a civil engineer are facing a three-count charge: Conspiracy to commit a felony, Shop breaking and larceny contrary to Section 26(1) of the Larceny Act of 1916, and Receiving stolen goods contrary to Section 33(1) of the same Act.
According to court documents, on Thursday, 20 March 2025, at No. 4 Saikie Bockarie Street, Kabala, Koinadugu District, the accused persons allegedly conspired with others unknown to break into the shop of businessman Alusine Barrie.
It is alleged that they stole 148 assorted Android mobile phones and physical cash amounting to fifty thousand Leones (Le 50,000), with the total value of the stolen items estimated at three hundred and thirty-five thousand nine hundred and fifty Leones (Le 335,950).
The third count of the charge alleges that the fourth accused, Maada Wahab Allieu, received 21 pieces of Ho750I mobile phones and other assorted items, totaling a value of one hundred and sixteen thousand one hundred Leones (Le 116,100), also property of Alusine Barrie.
During the court session, the fourth accused person was absent. Prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police Dialla Wellington, applied for a bench warrant to be issued against the absent accused and their sureties.
Defense Counsel R.A.D. Jones applied for bail on behalf of the third accused, Farah Sesay. He argued that his client is a Sierra Leonean resident within the jurisdiction, has credible sureties, and poses no flight risk. He assured the court that the accused would not interfere with prosecution witnesses and made the application pursuant to Sections 79(2) and (3) of the Criminal Procedure Act of 1965.
Magistrate Bangura refused bail for the first and second accused persons and ordered a bench warrant for the fourth accused. However, he granted bail to the third accused in the sum of one hundred thousand Leones (Le 100,000), with two sureties in like sum. The sureties must be responsible citizens residing in Freetown and must produce valid ID cards indicating their addresses. Bail is subject to approval by the Deputy Assistant Registrar.
The matter was adjourned to 30 April 2025 for further hearing.