By: Audrey Raymonda John
Twenty-three-year-old Alpha Umaru Newland, an unemployed man of No. 1 Kroobay, Freetown, has been remanded in custody and is standing trial before the court over allegations of stealing and damaging property belonging to the Ministry of Finance valued at NLe146, 000.
Newland is facing two counts of larceny, contrary to Section 2 of the Larceny Act 1916, and malicious damage, contrary to Section 51 of the Malicious Damage Act 1861.
According to the particulars of the offence, on Monday, 23rd March 2026, at the Ministry of Finance on George Street, Freetown, Newland allegedly stole one set of generator control system copper cables valued at NLe137,000 and two 100-amp batteries valued at NLe9,000, bringing the total alleged value of the stolen property to NLe146,000.
The property is said to belong to the Ministry of Finance.
On the second count, Newland was alleged to have maliciously damaged the generator control system copper cables valued at NLe137, 000.
When the charges were read to him, no plea was taken.
As proceedings continued, the prosecution called its second witness, Titus Musa (PW2), who testified and identified Newland as the accused before the court.
PW2 told the court that on 24th March 2026, while he was on duty at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, the Senior Generator Technician of the Ministry of Finance reported a case of alleged larceny and malicious damage at the ministry.
The witness said that upon receiving the report, he obtained statements from the Senior Generator Technician and other officers who were on duty, including Inspector Idriss, Sergeant Fanna, Ahmed, Leslie Kenu, Abduloi Jalloh, Lamin Kargbo and Aminata Jalloh.
PW2 further testified that Newland was cautioned and questioned in Krio. He said the accused responded in Krio, and his responses were recorded in English.
According to the witness, after the interview, he read and explained the recorded statement to Newland in Krio. The accused subsequently admitted the statement to be true and correct by affixing his right thumbprint (RTP).
The statement was witnessed by Detective Sergeant 1389 Sahr Rosen Aliu and signed by PW2. It was subsequently tendered and admitted in evidence as Exhibits G1 to G5.
PW2 further told the court that on 4th June 2026, he and DPC 13878 Blango P charged Newland with two counts of larceny and malicious damage.
He said the accused was again cautioned and questioned in Krio, with his responses recorded in English. The statement was read and explained to Newland in Krio, after which he admitted it to be true and correct by affixing his right thumbprint.
The statement was witnessed by DPC 13878 Blango P, while PW2 signed as the recorder. The documents were tendered and admitted in evidence as Exhibits H1 to H3.
During cross-examination, defence counsel had no questions for PW2.
Newland remains on remand as the prosecution continues to present evidence against him.
The matter has been adjourned to 9th September 2026 for the testimony of PW3.