By: Audrey Raymonda John
Sylvester Musa, also known as Sylvester Amara, a 40-year-old nurse, made his first court appearance before Magistrate Augustine Brima Samura at Pademba Road Court No. 8 on two counts of theft-related charges. The charges include Larceny by Servant, contrary to Section 17(1) of the Larceny Act of 1916, and Fraudulent Conversion of Property, contrary to Section 20(iv)(a) of the same Act.
According to the particulars of the offense, on Saturday, 26th April 2025, at the Pujehun Government Hospital, located in the Pujehun Judicial District in the Southern Province, the accused, while serving as a storekeeper, allegedly stole seventy-six cartons and thirty-three boxes of assorted free health care medical drugs intended for public use.
The second count further alleges that on the same date and location, Musa fraudulently converted the said medical supplies entrusted to him for safekeeping to his own personal use and benefit.
When the charges were read and explained in court, no plea was taken from the accused. The first prosecution witness, Sergeant 9859 Sahr Koroma Sundu, an investigator attached to the Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU) in Hastings, testified that on 3rd May 2025, he received a transferred case file from the Freetown West Police Division regarding the unlawful possession of the pharmaceutical items.
The case file contained several key documents: A search warrant dated 26th April 2025, marked as Exhibit A. The arresting officer’s report dated 26th April 2025, marked as Exhibit B1-3. A verification and quantification request for the drugs dated 28th April 2025, marked as Exhibit C1-2. A voluntary caution statement from the accused dated 26th April 2025, marked as Exhibit D1-10.
Sergeant Sundu further testified that, along with Detective Police Constable 15063 Maju M., he obtained an additional caution statement from the accused in Krio, which was translated and recorded in English. The accused reportedly confirmed the contents to be true by affixing his right-hand thumbprint. This statement was marked as Exhibit E1-15.
On the same day, the case file was forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice. The advice, dated 29th May 2025, was received and marked as Exhibit F.
Following the advice, the investigating officers obtained a charge statement from the accused using the same procedure. This statement was marked as Exhibit G1-3.
The witness was cross-examined by defense counsel, E. Kamara Esq.
Magistrate Samura granted the accused bail in the sum of Le100,000, with two sureties in like sum. The sureties must reside in Freetown and produce valid national identity cards showing their addresses. Bail is subject to approval by the Deputy Assistant Registrar. The matter was adjourned to 3rd July 2025.