By: Audrey Raymonda John
An 18-year-old student, Ibrahim Koroma, has been remanded at the Male Correctional Facility in Freetown after appearing before Magistrate John Manso Fornah of Pademba Road Court No. 2 on two counts of alleged impersonation and unlawful possession.
Koroma was charged with impersonation, contrary to Section 3 of the Criminal Procedure Act No. 34, as amended by subsections 4 and 5 of the Personation and Uniforms Amendment Act No. 13 of 1975, and unlawful possession, contrary to Section 13(1) of the Criminal Procedure Act No. 34, as amended by Section 5 of Act No. 6 of 1981.
According to the particulars of the offence, on Monday, October 12, 2026, at Jomo Kenyatta Road in Freetown, Koroma allegedly wore a police uniform and falsely assumed the identity of a police officer without lawful authority.
The second count alleged that, on the same date and at the same location, he was found in possession of a handcuff bearing serial number 182228 TCH 802, suspected to have been stolen or unlawfully obtained and belonging to the Government of Sierra Leone.
When the charges were read and explained to him, Koroma pleaded not guilty to both counts.
The prosecution, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Sorie Conteh, called its first witness, Sergeant 10400 Kabba Turay, attached to the Criminal Investigation Department at New England Ville Police Station.
Testifying before the court, Sergeant Turay said he recognized both the accused and the complainant, Martin Sovula. He recalled that on October 15, 2026, while on duty at the police station, the complainant arrested and brought Koroma to the station in connection with an alleged case of impersonation.
The witness said Koroma was brought in with a handcuff, after which the complainant made a formal report. The report was subsequently produced and tendered in evidence as part of the court records. He added that the handcuff was kept in the custody of the exhibit officer.
Sergeant Turay further testified that he obtained a statement from another witness, Ahmed Bangura, which was also produced and tendered in court.
He told the court that on October 14, 2026, he and Inspector A. Nyallay obtained a caution statement from the accused. According to the witness, Koroma was cautioned and questioned in Krio, while his responses were recorded in English.
The witness said the statement was read and explained to Koroma at its conclusion. The accused reportedly admitted its contents to be true and correct by affixing his right-hand thumbprint, in the presence of the investigator, while the statement was signed by the recorder.
The caution statement was subsequently produced and tendered in evidence.
Sergeant Turay further informed the court that on October 16, 2026, he and the investigator formally charged Koroma with the offences for which he is currently standing trial. The charge statement was also produced and tendered in court.
Koroma, who was not legally represented, personally cross-examined the prosecution witness.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Fornah refused bail, citing the seriousness of the alleged offences, and ordered that the accused be remanded at the Male Correctional Facility.
The matter was adjourned to November 17, 2026, for further proceedings.