By: Audrey Raymonda John
Twenty-eight-year-old businessman Ibrahim Kamara appeared before Magistrate Augustine Brima Samura at Pademba Road Court No. 8 in Freetown, facing a charge of larceny contrary to Section 2 of the Larceny Act 1916.
According to the particulars of the offence, on Friday, 6th June 2025, at Fullah Choice Guest House, Regent Road, Western Area, Freetown, the accused allegedly stole an iPhone 11 Pro Max, blue-black in color, along with 1,000 Leones in cash. The total value of the stolen items is estimated at 11,000 Leones. The property belonged to Adama Sesay.
Detective Police Constable Joseph Lamin Dumbuya (ID 14898) led the prosecution. The first witness, Adama Sesay, identified the accused and recounted the incident. She stated that on the said date, the accused approached her at a bar near Regent Road Central by Goderich Street. The accused asked if she wanted a drink, and upon her agreement, he bought her a vodka. He then asked her to sleep with him. She accepted and quoted a price of 700 Leones, but the accused claimed he had no money.
They spent the night together at the guesthouse, but the following morning, when she woke up, the accused was gone. She also discovered her phone and the 1,000 Leones cash missing from her bag. The iPhone was valued at 10,000 Leones.
Adama Sesay asked the guesthouse owner, Samuel, about the accused, who admitted seeing him with two phones but claimed not to know if either belonged to the complainant. Following this, she reported the matter to the police.
The second prosecution witness, Samuel Sesay, a staff member at Fullah Choice Guest House, also identified the accused and the complainant. He recalled that on 6th June 2025, at around midnight, the accused arrived at the VIP guest area with a woman, whose identity he did not know. Usually, the accused would leave between 6:00 and 7:00 AM, but on that day, he came to Samuel around 4:00 AM to open the gate. Samuel saw the accused holding two mobile phones and a plastic bag as he left.
After the accused left, Adama Sesay reported that her phone and money were missing and identified the accused as the person she had slept with. Samuel’s boss then intervened, and after a search lasting three days, the accused was arrested and taken to the police station, where he gave a statement.
The accused was not legally represented but cross-examined both witnesses.
Magistrate Samura denied bail due to the seriousness of the charge and remanded the accused to the Male Correctional Facility in Freetown. The case was adjourned to 18th July 2025.