By: Audrey Raymonda John
Two businessmen, Abdul Jabba Mansaray and Joseph Bellon, have made another court appearance before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No. 2, where they are facing five counts, including conspiracy, larceny, obtaining money by false pretences, and receiving stolen goods.
The charges are brought under the Larceny Act 1916. They include conspiracy to commit a crime, larceny contrary to Section 2, obtaining money by false pretences contrary to Section 32(1), and receiving stolen goods contrary to Section 33(1) of the Act.
According to the charge sheet, the first accused, Abdul Jabba Mansaray, on 13 January 2026 at No. 3 Bathurst Street in Freetown, allegedly conspired with other persons unknown to commit larceny.
It is further alleged that on the same date and at the same location, he stole one Vivid IQ Echo Machine valued at thirty-seven thousand one hundred United States dollars (US$37,100), property of Professor Dr. James Russell.
Counts three and four state that on 28 and 29 January 2026, the first accused allegedly obtained Le2,500 from Fatmata Jullet Nicolls and Le1,015 from George Russell via Orange Money. He allegedly claimed the funds were for transportation to retrieve the stolen machine, knowing the representation to be false.
The fifth count alleges that the second accused, Joseph Bellon, between 13 and 28 January 2026 at Kossoh Town, Freetown, received the Vivid IQ Echo Machine, valued at US$37,100, from Mansaray, knowing it to be stolen property.
When the charges were read, no plea was taken, as the matter is before the court on committal proceedings.
State Prosecutor Yusuf Isaac Sesay requested a short adjournment to enable the prosecution to present its first witness.
Magistrate Fornah refused bail, citing the seriousness of the offences, and adjourned the matter to 6 May 2026 for further hearing.