By: Audrey Raymonda John
Five men have been remanded in custody after appearing before Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah at Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown over the alleged theft of a trailer belonging to the Freetown City Council (FCC).
The accused persons are Mohamed Allieu Jalloh, 38, an IT technician; Alie Kamara, 55, a businessman; Musa Turay, 35, a businessman; Sorie Sesay, 36, a military officer; and Ernest Allieu, 49.
The accused persons are facing three counts ranging from conspiracy to commit a felony, larceny, and receiving stolen property, contrary to Section 2 and Section 33(1)(b) of the Larceny Act 1916.
According to the particulars of offence, between 11 July and 16 September 2025 at *Queen Elizabeth Road, Kissy Dockyard, the accused persons allegedly conspired with other persons unknown to commit a felony, namely larceny.
The prosecution further alleged that during the same period and at the same location, the accused stole a low-bed trailer with registration number AVT 807, valued at US$105,000, equivalent to Le2,418,044. The trailer is the property of the Freetown City Council.
Count three further alleged that the fifth accused, Ernest Allieu, received the said low-bed trailer knowing it had been stolen.
When the charges were read and explained in court, no plea was taken.
Defence counsel S. M. Fomba, representing the first accused, together with C. M. B. Amara, C. Kamara, and M. Bangura, who represented the second, third, fourth, and fifth accused persons respectively, renewed their bail application on behalf of the defendants. They assured the court that the accused persons would be released into their care if granted bail.
In his ruling, Magistrate Jah stated that the offences are serious in nature and that he would prefer to hear testimony from the prosecution before deciding on the bail application. He emphasized that the matter before the court is a criminal case and that the court retains jurisdiction over the accused persons.
Magistrate Jah therefore ordered that all five accused persons be remanded in custody and adjourned the matter to 23 March 2026 for further hearing.
The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant Commissioner of Police Joan Bull on behalf of the State.