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, appeared before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown, facing three charges. These included Conspiracy to Commit a Crime Contrary to Law, House Breaking and Larceny under Section 26(1) of the Larceny Act of 1916, and Receiving Stolen Goods under Section 33(1) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the particulars of the offence, on Friday, 3rd January 2025, at Ya-Marie Drive, Hill Station in the Mountain Rural District of the Western Area in Freetown, the defendants allegedly conspired with other individuals’ unknown to commit a crime.
The second charge states that on the same date and location, the defendants, with intent to steal, broke into the residence of Bintu Sankoh and stole a variety of items. These included one hundred and seventy thousand Leones (Le 170,000), seven hundred United States dollars, and other assorted items, bringing the total value of stolen goods to two hundred and thirty-eight thousand six hundred and ten Leones (Le 238,610), the property of Bintu Sankoh.
The third charge alleges that, on the same date and location, the defendants knowingly received the stolen items, including one hundred and seventy thousand Leones (Le 170,000), seven hundred United States dollars, and other goods equivalent to the total value of two hundred and thirty-eight thousand six hundred and ten Leones (Le 238,610), aware that they had been stolen.
When the charges were read and explained, the defendants did not enter a plea.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sorie Conteh led Prosecution Witness Number Three, DPC 14125 Abdul Momoh Kassim, a crime writer and exhibit officer attached to the Mountain Division. He recalled that on 31st March 2025, he was on duty at the station when DPC 19799 Kamara A.M brought several items to him, which included one glass mirror, two charmel frame pipes, five hammers, and one white bathtub. He received and registered these items in the crime exhibit book under serial number 22/2025, where they remained in police custody. The items were subsequently produced and tendered in court as part of the official court record.
The witness was cross-examined by defense counsel J.T. Mansaray, Esq.
Magistrate John Manso Fornah adjourned the case to 21st October 2025, allowing the defendants to remain on bail in the meantime.