By: Audrey Raymonda John
A 47-year-old businessman, Kofi Clarke, has been remanded in custody after making his first appearance before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown on two counts of conspiracy to commit a crime and larceny in a dwelling house.
The charges are contrary to law and Section 13(a) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the particulars of offence, the accused is alleged to have conspired with other persons unknown on a date between 1st November and 24th December 2025 at No. 14 Priscilla Street, Western Area, Freetown, to commit a felony, namely larceny from a dwelling house.
Count two further states that on the same date and at the same location, the accused unlawfully entered the dwelling house of Rella Mac Boimah and stole two window curtains, two cans of red Sahion paint, and other assorted items, all properties belonging to the complainant.
When the charges were read and explained to the accused, no plea was taken.
The prosecution, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police Dialla Wellington, called its first witness, Rella Mac Boimah, who said she recognised the accused.
During cross-examination, the witness told the court that she resides in the United Kingdom and travelled to Freetown on November 30, 2025. She stated that she had never slept outside her house since her arrival and was residing with the accused’s girlfriend, Kema Thompson.
She further testified that several people visited her residence and that she employed workers to roof and paint her house. According to her, the roofing work was completed, but she dismissed the painters for poor workmanship.
The witness said she later discovered that the sum of four thousand two hundred United States dollars (US$4,200) was missing from her belongings. She informed Kema Thompson of the missing money, after which her son immediately travelled to inform his grandmother.
She testified that she also informed the accused about the missing money and that he assured her she would recover it. The witness said she later received the sum of four thousand one hundred United States dollars (US$4,100) from the accused on her instruction.
She further told the court that the accused frequently visited their residence in the mornings, afternoons, and evenings. However, a few hours after receiving the money, the accused sent her a WhatsApp message instructing her to have no further dealings with him.
The witness added that police officers later visited the accused’s premises, where several items allegedly belonging to her were recovered, including lace window curtains, a large bottle of washing conditioner, Sure deodorant, a white and red teddy bear, and some provisions. She said the accused claimed the provisions were given to him by his girlfriend.
At this point, defence counsel E. T. Lassayo Esq. applied for a short adjournment to continue his cross-examination and renewed his previous bail application on behalf of the accused.
Magistrate John Manso Fornah refused bail, citing the seriousness of the offences, and remanded the accused in custody. The matter was adjourned to January 29, 2026.