By: Audrey Raymonda John
Thirty-seven-year-old businessman Ibrahim Sorie Koroma appeared before Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah at Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown, facing a charge of larceny contrary to Section 2 of the Larceny Act 1916.
According to the particulars of the offence, on 8 September 2025 at the House of Parliament in the Western Area of Freetown, Koroma allegedly stole one black leather bag containing US$10,000. Physical cash of Le4,060. A watts power bank. One Samsung mobile phone and assorted items valued at a total of Le260,560.
These items were reported as the property of John Melvin Kuminah.
When the charge was read and explained, the defendant did not enter a plea.
Inspector Kadie M. Taylor, leading the prosecution, testified as witness number two. Sub-Inspector Mohamed Vandi of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Pademba Road, recognized both the complainant and the defendant.
Vandi recalled that on 9 September 2025, the larceny case was allocated to him for investigation. He obtained statements from the complainant and other witnesses and, together with DPC 10256 Bangura A.S., visited the crime scene at Parliament. CCTV footage from the location was collected and handed over to the cyber unit for review.
On 13 September 2025, the defendant was arrested along with the allegedly stolen bag and purse. Vandi and the investigator obtained a voluntary caution statement from the defendant in Krio, which was recorded in English. The statement was read and explained to Koroma, who affirmed its accuracy by placing his right-hand thumbprint and signing the document.
On 21 December 2025, a formal charge statement was also obtained from the defendant following the same procedure and was tendered in court as part of the official record. The exhibit was handed over to the court exhibit clerk.
During cross-examination, the defendant challenged aspects of the witness testimony.
Magistrate Jah denied bail and remanded Ibrahim Sorie Koroma to the Male Correctional Facility in Freetown. The matter has been adjourned to 24 February 2026 for further proceedings.