By: Audrey Raymonda John
Emmanuel John Bundu, a staff member at Sky Handling at Freetown International Airport, Lungi, made another appearance before Magistrate John Manso Fornah of Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown on two charges: Larceny contrary to Section 2 of the Larceny Act 1916 and Unlawful Possession contrary to Section 13(1) of the Summary Conviction Act Cap 37, as amended by Section 5 of the Summary Conviction Offences Amendment Act 1981.
According to the particulars of the offence, on Saturday, September 7th, 2025, at the Freetown International Airport in Kaffu Bullom Chiefdom, Northern Province, the defendant allegedly stole an Itel manual mobile phone, a gold-colored wristwatch, and a silver-colored wristwatch from a passenger’s luggage onboard an aircraft.
The second charge stated that, on the same date and at the same location, Bundu was found in possession of the stolen items—one Itel manual mobile phone, one gold-colored wristwatch, and one silver-colored wristwatch—items reasonably suspected to have been stolen or unlawfully obtained.
When the charges were read and explained, the defendant pleaded not guilty.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Dialla Wellington led the prosecution. Witness number one, Detective Police Constable Abass Maada Bawah (Badge No. 15201), attached to Amvill Police Station at Lungi Airport, testified that he recognized the defendant. He recalled that, on the 7th of September, 2025, an incident occurred involving the defendant at the airport.
According to the witness, he was posted at the airside of the airport to monitor arriving flights. During this time, Air Brussels landed, and Sky Handling staff came to offload and load luggage. Before entering the flight, all staff members were searched to ensure they did not carry anything inappropriate. After the offloading, they were searched again. It was during this second search that the defendant was called for a search. When asked what was in his possession, the defendant did not respond. The officer then instructed him to remove the items from his pocket, and the defendant handed over two wristwatches (one silver and one gold) and an Itel manual mobile phone.
The officer inquired where the defendant had obtained the items, but the defendant refused to answer. The officer then pointed out that during the first search, the defendant had no items in his possession, and now, during the second search, he had these items. The witness informed the defendant that he was under arrest, then notified the support officer and the OPS officer. The defendant, along with the stolen items, was handed over to the police for further investigation. The defendant later provided a statement to the police.
The defense counsel, A. Khalil Esq., cross-examined the witness and adopted his previous bail applications on behalf of the defendant.
Magistrate Fornah granted bail to the defendant in the sum of twenty thousand Leones with one surety in a like sum. The surety must be a responsible citizen residing in Freetown, with a fixed address and gainfully employed. The surety must also provide a valid identification card showing their Freetown address. The bail will be approved by the Deputy Assistant Registrar.
The matter has been adjourned to November 5th, 2025.