By: Audrey Raymonda John
Alimamy Kamara has been committed to stand trial at the High Court by Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah at Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown. Kamara is facing one count of shop breaking and larceny contrary to Section 20(1) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the indictment, on Thursday, 19 June 2025, at No. 2 Wallace Johnson Street, Freetown, the accused allegedly broke into the shop of Salieu Kamara with intent to steal. He is accused of stealing cash amounting to thirteen thousand leones, eight packets of Cross Empire cigarettes, seven packets of Cross Gold Seal Menthol cigarettes, and other assorted items, with a total value of twenty-five thousand five hundred and eighty-five leones (Le25,585), all property of Salieu Kamara.
When the charge was read to the accused, no plea was taken.
Detective Police Constable 17649 Kargbo B., prosecuting the matter, called Detective Police Constable 17939 Kamara I. of the Central Police Division as a witness. The witness identified both the accused and the complainant in court. He testified that he was on duty when the complainant apprehended the accused and reported the alleged shop breaking and larceny. The case was subsequently assigned to him for further investigation.
He stated that on the same day, he obtained statements from the complainant and other witnesses. Accompanied by Detective Sergeant 22965 Conteh A.A. and the complainant, he visited the crime scene. Photographs were taken using the complainant’s mobile phone and later tendered in court as evidence.
During cross-examination by the unrepresented accused, the witness collapsed in court, briefly interrupting the proceedings.
The witness further testified that on 29 June 2025, he and Detective Sergeant Conteh questioned the accused in Krio and recorded his statement in English. The accused confirmed the statement to be true by affixing his right-hand thumbprint. On 31 June 2025, the accused made an additional statement, again confirming its accuracy with his thumbprint, before being formally charged with shop breaking and larceny. The statements were retained in police custody and submitted as part of the court record.
At the close of the prosecution’s case, the prosecutor informed the court that the evidence for the prosecution had been concluded. After reviewing the evidence presented, Magistrate Jah ruled that a prima facie case had been established and committed the accused to stand trial at the High Court.