By: Audrey Raymonda John
Suliaman Bangura has made another appearance before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown, where he faces a charge of Receiving Stolen Goods, contrary to Section 33(1) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the particulars of the offence, on January 8, 2025, at Babadorie, Lumley, Freetown, Bangura allegedly received a black Samsung Galaxy Z-Fold-5 mobile phone, valued at Le 21,000, from one George Kamara, knowing it had been stolen.
When the charge was read and explained to him, the accused pleaded not guilty.
During the proceedings, the prosecution led by Detective Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sorie Conteh called Mohamed S. Konowa, a public servant and Director at the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA), as the first prosecution witness.
Konowa testified that he knew the complainant, Kadiatu, as his wife and identified the accused, whom he said was tracked and located by the police cyber unit using the IMEI number of the stolen phone.
The witness recalled that on the night of January 8, 2025, while at home, his residence was attacked by armed robbers. During the robbery, his phone, laptop, cash, and other personal items were stolen. He stated that the stolen phone was a Samsung Galaxy Z-Fold-5, valued at Le 21,000.
Following the incident, he reported the matter at the Lumley Police Station. The cyber unit at the station requested the IMEI number of the stolen phone, which he provided on January 28, 2025.
While giving his testimony, the witness reportedly struggled to provide further details, prompting the prosecutor to request a short adjournment to continue leading his evidence at a later date.
In the meantime, Magistrate Fornah remanded the accused at the Male Correctional Centre and adjourned the matter to September 22, 2025, for continuation of the hearing.