By: Audrey Raymonda John
A painter, Salim Fofanah, has been remanded at the Male Correctional Facility in Freetown by Magistrate John Manso Fornah of Pademba Road Court No. 2. He was charged with one count of housebreaking and larceny, contrary to Section 26(1) of the Larceny Act 1916.
According to the particulars of offence, on Thursday, 4 June 2026, at No. 12A Babadorie Hill, Lumley in the Western Area of Freetown, the accused allegedly broke into the dwelling house of Dominic Lamin with intent to steal and made away with one DJI drone and a heavy-duty tool kit, valued at a total of seventy-eight thousand five hundred and forty Leones (Le 78,540), property of Dominic Lamin.
When the charge was read and explained to the defendant, no plea was taken as the matter is a committal proceeding.
The prosecution witness, Sergeant 8811 Florence M. Wilson, testified that the complainant, Dominic Lamin, an ICT consultant attached to the American Embassy, identified the defendant through his landlord, Mr. Amadu Wurie.
The witness further stated that on 4 June 2026, the defendant and other workers, including painters, masons, and individuals digging a well, were working within the compound. He noted that the defendant was among those identified as workers regularly present at the site.
The complainant testified that he had previously expressed concerns about the safety of the compound and had cautioned workers against leaving tools outside. He also stated that he usually provided them with small amounts of money for cleaning the compound.
He further testified that at about 11:00 a.m. on the said date, he gave money to the defendant before leaving for work. Later, at about 5:42 p.m., while at a restaurant, he received an alert from his phone connected to his CCTV system. Upon checking the footage, he allegedly saw the defendant entering the house through a window. He then alerted his neighbour, who raised an alarm.
The complainant stated that further review of the CCTV footage showed the defendant exiting through the kitchen door. Upon returning home, he confronted the defendant, who allegedly admitted taking some items, including rice, a spoon, a red cup, water, milk, and sugar. He further alleged that the defendant was found in possession of two house keys, which he used to exit the premises.
Police were later called to the scene, and the defendant was handed over to them, along with his boss, Fofanah Koroma. The complainant stated that upon inspection, he discovered that additional items, including a DJI drone, high-tech drilling equipment, and sports shoes, were missing, bringing the total value to Le 78,540.
He also stated that the CCTV footage was stored on his iPhone 14 Pro Max and was later transferred to a flash drive currently in police custody. He confirmed that he made a statement to the police.
The witness was cross-examined by the defendant.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Fornah refused bail, citing the seriousness of the offence, and ordered that the accused be remanded. The matter was adjourned to 30 June 2026.