By: Audrey Raymonda John
Thirty-one-year-old Ibrahim Kabbia, an Information and Technology Engineer, has been remanded at the Male Correctional Facility by Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah of Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown. He is facing four counts of larceny by servant, contrary to Section 17(1)(a) of the Larceny Act 1916.
According to the particulars of offence, between 3rd and 6th October 2025, at the Leone Construction and Engineering Services office, No. 36 Bathurst Street, Western Area, Freetown, the accused, while employed as a clerk, allegedly stole the sum of Le 3,500 belonging to the said company.
Count two states that between 7th and 8th October 2025, at the same office and in the same capacity, he allegedly stole Le 10,000 belonging to Leone Construction and Engineering Services.
Count three further states that on 9th October 2025, again while employed as a clerk at the same location, he allegedly stole Le 7,500 belonging to the company.
Count four alleges that on 10th October 2025, at the same office, the accused stole one 55-inch Samsung plasma television and one LG monitor, with a total value of Le 33,950, property of Leone Construction and Engineering Services.
When the charges were read and explained to the defendant, no plea was taken as the matter is at committal proceedings stage.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Juan M.S. Bull led prosecution witness number three, DPC 13878 Paul Blango, attached to the Breaking and Larceny Unit at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, Pademba Road. He stated that he recognized both the complainant and the defendant.
The witness testified that on 10th October 2025, the complainant reported a case of larceny by servant. He, together with Sergeant 1389 Alieu S.R., Sergeant 10179 Conteh T.M., and DPC 13620 Koroma E.P., visited the crime scene, where photographs were taken. The complainant allegedly stated that he had kept money and a plasma television at the premises.
He further stated that they later returned to the office and obtained statements from the complainant and his witnesses.
The defendant was subsequently invited to the CID office on 14th October 2025. The witness, together with Sergeant Alieu S.R., obtained a voluntary caution statement from the defendant in Krio. He stated that after the statement was read over and explained to the defendant in Krio, the defendant admitted it to be true and correct by affixing his right thumbprint, with the witness signing as recorder. The statement was tendered and admitted as part of the court record.
On 27th January 2026, the witness, together with Sergeant 10400 Kabba Turay and Inspector S. Dumbuya, formally charged the defendant using the same procedure as in the voluntary caution statement. The charge statement was also tendered and admitted as part of the court record.
The prosecution subsequently closed its case.
Defence counsel applied for a short adjournment to prepare and file a no-case submission on behalf of the defendant.
However, Magistrate Jah refused bail and ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Male Correctional Centre in Freetown. The matter was adjourned to 18th May 2026.