By: Audrey Raymonda John
A 30-year-old civil servant, Peter Brima, on Thursday, 9 July 2026, made another appearance before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown on a charge of larceny in a dwelling house, contrary to Section 13(a) of the Larceny Act, 1916.
According to the particulars of the offence, the accused allegedly stole US$5,210, equivalent to approximately NLe124,000, the property of Lovetta Kamara. The alleged offence occurred between Saturday, 28 February and Sunday, 1 March 2026, at No. 9 Charlotte Village, Freetown.
When the charge was read and explained to the accused, no plea was taken because the matter is before the court on committal proceedings.
Led in evidence by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sorie Conteh, the fourth prosecution witness, Detective Police Constable (DPC) 13878 Paul Blango, attached to the Breaking and Larceny Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Pademba Road, testified that he recognized both the complainant and the accused.
The witness recalled that on 10 March 2026, while on duty at the CID headquarters, a report of larceny in a dwelling house involving the alleged theft of US$5,210 was made by the complainant. He said the matter was assigned to him for investigation.
According to DPC Blango, he obtained statements from the complainant and her witnesses. He informed the court that the complainant’s statement was produced and tendered as part of the prosecution’s evidence.
He further testified that on the same day, he and Sergeant 10400 K. Turay, accompanied by the complainant, visited the alleged crime scene. During their inspection, they observed that there was no evidence of forced entry or breakage.
The witness told the court that on 11 March 2026, the accused was transferred from the Operational Support Division (OSD) Headquarters to the CID for investigation.
Between 11 and 14 March 2026, investigators obtained a voluntary caution statement from the accused. He explained that the statement was taken in Krio, recorded in English, and read back to the accused, who confirmed its accuracy by affixing his right thumbprint. The witness said he signed the statement as the recorder, and it was subsequently produced and tendered in evidence.
During the course of the investigation, DPC Blango said the accused allegedly disclosed that he had deposited NLe10,000 into his account at United Bank for Africa (UBA).
Following investigations, police recovered NLe8,400, a grey Infinix mobile phone, a black Samsung manual mobile phone, and a UBA ATM card, all of which are being kept in police custody by the exhibit officer.
The witness further testified that a photocopy of the case file and the inquiry file was forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice. Upon review, the file was returned with advice directing the police to charge the accused with the offence of larceny in a dwelling house.
He stated that on 27 March 2026, he and the investigating officer formally charged the accused using the same procedure followed in obtaining the voluntary caution statement. The charge statement was also produced and tendered before the court as part of the prosecution’s evidence.
At the conclusion of the witness’s testimony, Magistrate John Manso Fornah refused bail, citing the seriousness of the offence.
The matter was adjourned to 16 July 2026 for the continuation of proceedings.