By: Audrey Raymonda John
Hassan Jalloh, a businessman, was arraigned before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No. 2 on Tuesday, 14th October, 2025. He faces three counts of store-breaking and larceny, contrary to Section 26 (1) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the particulars of offence, on Wednesday, 17th September, 2025, at No. 28 off Fudia Terrace, Spurloop, Wilberforce in Freetown, Jalloh allegedly broke into and entered a store belonging to Hawa Sesay with intent to steal.
Count One: He is accused of stealing building materials and other items, including iron rods, wooden boards, zinc sheets, tiles, electrical cables, and paint, with a total value of twenty-nine thousand, five hundred and fourteen Leones (NLe 29,514), property of Hawa Sesay.
Count Two: On the same date, he is further accused of stealing various household and personal items from the same store, including human wigs, a television, a mirror, footwear, and kitchen utensils, with a total value of twenty-four thousand, nine hundred and thirty Leones (NLe 24,930), property of Haja Jariatu Sesay.
Count Three: The charge further states that he stole additional items, including local pots, a mattress, and other domestic goods, with a total value of eleven thousand, nine hundred and sixty-five Leones (NLe 11,965), property of Fatmata Bangura.
The total value of the alleged stolen goods across all three counts is NLe 66,409.
When the charges were read and explained to him, the defendant did not enter a plea.
The state prosecutor, Deputy Superintendent of Police Sorie Conteh, presented the first prosecution witness, Hawa Sesay. She testified that she is a housewife and recognized the defendant.
She recalled that on 17th September, 2025, she was at home when she received a call from her cousin, Halimatu Bangura. Upon going outside, she saw the defendant holding a bag near her store. She rushed inside, alerted Haja Jariatu Sesay, and they went downstairs with the keys. There, they met the defendant by the window and discovered that the window guards to the store had been damaged.
Sesay stated that she confronted the defendant, telling him, “Either we go to the police station, or you kill me.” With the help of a man named Lamin, they arrested the defendant and took him to the Congo Cross Police Station. Police officers later visited the crime scene and took photographs.
She confirmed that she later discovered numerous stolen items and that the exhibits are currently in police custody. She also stated that she has a video recording of the defendant on her phone.
Defense Counsel S.S. Bangura applied for bail, arguing that the defendant has reliable sureties and is not a flight risk. The application was made pursuant to Section 76 (1) (C) of the Criminal Procedure Act of 2024.
However, Magistrate Fornah refused bail, citing the seriousness of the offences.
The case has been adjourned to the 21st of October, 2025, for the continuation of the trial.