By: Audrey Raymonda John
Jumaima Peace Tucker, a 22-year-old unemployed woman, was arraigned before Magistrate John Manso Fornah of Pademba Road Court No. 2 on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, facing a charge of larceny, contrary to Section 2 of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the particulars of the offense, on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at No. 19 Korombo Lane, Wellington, Freetown, in the western area of Sierra Leone, Tucker allegedly stole one (1) Intel 360-degree laptop computer, valued at 20,000 leones, which was the property of Peter Thomas Sesay.
When the charge was read and explained to her, Tucker pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution, led by Sergeant 3379 Ballay T, called its second witness, Detective Corporal 13960 Alphonso Kamara, who is attached to the Family Support Unit in Kabala Town. Detective Kamara testified that on October 23, 2025, he was on duty when a report of larceny was made to him. He was assigned to investigate the matter.
Kamara testified that he and Detective Police Constable 17866 Kamara S obtained a cautionary statement from the complainant and a witness. This statement, now in police custody, was produced and tendered in court as Exhibit A1-4.
He further stated that he and Detective Sergeant 8765 Bangura M cautioned and questioned the defendant in Krio, and her responses were recorded in English. Tucker admitted to the statements made, and she affixed her right thumbprint, which was witnessed by Sergeant Bangura and signed by him as the recorder. This statement was produced and tendered in court as Exhibit C1-8.
Kamara also confirmed that both he and Sergeant Bangura charged Tucker with larceny, as per Section 2 of the Larceny Act 1916. He noted that Tucker had been cautioned and questioned in Krio, and after being read her rights in Krio, she confirmed her statements to be true by affixing her right thumbprint. This was produced and tendered in court as Exhibit D1-2.
Defense Counsel A. Gbla adopted the previous bail application, but Magistrate Fornah refused bail due to the seriousness of the offense. The defendant was remanded to the Male Correctional Center in Freetown.
The case has been adjourned until November 25, 2025, for further proceedings.