By: Audrey Raymonda John
Thirty-seven-year-old businessman Ibrahim Sorie Koroma appeared before Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah at Pademba Road Court No. 1 on a charge of larceny, contrary to Section 2 of the Larceny Act 1916.
According to the particulars of the offence, on September 8, 2025, at the House of Parliament in Freetown, Koroma allegedly stole a black leather bag containing ten thousand United States dollars, four thousand and sixty Leones in cash, a power bank, a Samsung mobile phone, and assorted items, with a total value of 260,560 Leones. The items were the property of businessman John Melvin Kuminah.
When the charge was read to the defendant, no plea was taken.
Sergeant 9939 Mohamed Lahai led the prosecution, calling witness number one, John Melvin Kuminah. Kuminah, who is familiar with the defendant, recalled the events of September 8, 2025. He testified that during a session at Parliament, he had left his handbag on a chair while he went for lunch. Upon returning, he found the bag was missing. The bag contained the aforementioned cash, a power bank, several identity cards (including those for GT Bank, Ecobank, National ID, and NASSIT), and other items valued at 260,560 Leones.
Kuminah immediately reported the incident to Parliament’s security, who reviewed the CCTV footage. The footage showed the defendant taking the bag. Kuminah then reported the theft to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at the Pademba Road headquarters, where he provided a statement to the police.
The witness was cross-examined by the defendant.
Magistrate Jah denied bail and remanded the defendant to the male correctional facility in Freetown. The case was adjourned to October 30, 2025.