By: Audrey Raymonda John
Alusine Conteh, a native doctor, was acquitted and discharged by Justice Alfred Ganda during the ongoing September Criminal Session, after pleading guilty to a larceny charge. The discharge was granted based on time already served Conteh had spent seven months in prison prior to the ruling.
Conteh was arraigned on a single count of larceny, contrary to Section 13(a) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the charge sheet, on March 4, 2025, at Freetown, Alusine Conteh stole the following items from the home of Mabinty Kanu One Android tablet, one bottle of mayonnaise, one chain, two rolls of sachet milk, three cups of sugar, one tin of cocoa, three packets of butter and cash amounting to Le200. The total value of the stolen items was Le12,528.
When the charge was read and explained, Conteh pleaded guilty.
State Counsel Yusuf Isaac Sesay informed the court that Conteh, a self-proclaimed native doctor, was contacted by the complainant, Mabinty Kanu, to treat her daughter-in-law for a health condition. Conteh reportedly requested Le2,000 as payment for his services.
However, the complainant allegedly could not afford the money and instead offered some items of equivalent value, which Conteh initially accepted. But according to the prosecution, Conteh went beyond the agreed arrangement and took additional items from the premises without consent.
State Counsel further told the court that Conteh made a full confession to the police.
When asked by Justice Ganda about his profession, Conteh responded that he is a native healer, treating conditions such as stomach pain, toothache, and piles.
Conteh admitted to taking the items, claiming it was in response to non-payment for his services. He pleaded for mercy, citing that he had already spent seven months on remand.
His defense counsel, O.V. Gabber, in his plea in mitigation, stated that Conteh is a young man with a bright future and should be given a second chance. He emphasized that Conteh had not wasted the court’s time by pleading guilty.
After considering the plea and time served, Justice Alfred Ganda discharged Alusine Conteh, noting that the period already spent in prison was sufficient punishment under the circumstances.