By: Audrey Raymonda John
Twenty-three-year-old Alpha Umaru Newland, an unemployed resident of No. 2 Kroobay, Freetown, has pleaded guilty to charges of larceny and malicious damage involving property belonging to the Ministry of Finance, valued at NLe146, 000.
Newland is facing two counts: 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, March 23, 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.
The alleged stolen items, which were said to be the property of the Ministry of Finance, have a combined value of NLe146, 000.
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 and explained to him, Newland pleaded guilty to both counts.
The prosecution, led by Deputy Assistant Superintendent of Police (DASP) Sorie Conteh, told the court that Newland had no previous criminal record.
Following his guilty plea, Magistrate John Manso Fornah adjourned the matter to October 5, 2026, for sentencing.