By: Audrey Raymonda John
Thirty-five-year-old Hassan Sesay, a labourer, has been remanded at the Male Correctional Centre in Freetown after appearing before Magistrate Medissa Massaquio of Pademba Road Court No. 6 on a one-count charge of larceny, contrary to Section 2 of the Larceny Act, 1916.
According to the particulars of the offence, on November 2, 2026, at the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) compound in New England Ville, Freetown, Western Area, Sesay allegedly stole an Infinix Note 30 Pro mobile phone valued at NLe5, 700, belonging to John Teprail Turay.
When the charge was read and explained to him, the accused pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution, led by Inspector Amiza John, called its first witness, Sergeant 11922 John T. Turay, attached to the New England Ville Police Post.
Testifying in court, Sergeant Turay said he knew the accused, whom he identified as an errand boy at the police post. He told the court that on the day of the alleged incident, he was on duty alongside two colleagues, a Sergeant Major and a Police Constable.
The witness explained that he had connected his mobile phone to a power source to charge it, while the accused also plugged in his own phone.
He said that when he later returned to check on his phone, he questioned the accused, who allegedly told him that he had only disconnected his own device.
Sergeant Turay further testified that the accused subsequently began behaving suspiciously, prompting him to report the matter to the New England Ville Police Station.
The accused, who was not legally represented, personally cross-examined the prosecution witness.
Following the testimony, Magistrate Massaquio refused bail and ordered that the accused be remanded at the Male Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.
The matter was adjourned to November 18, 2026, for further hearing.