By: Audrey Raymonda John
A businessman, Abubakarr Barrie, has testified before Magistrate John Manso Fornah of Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown in an alleged larceny case involving an Infiniti Jeep.
The accused, Amadu Jalloh, is facing a charge of larceny, contrary to Section 2 of the Larceny Act 1916.
According to the charge sheet, the accused allegedly stole, as a bailee, a bottle-green Infiniti Jeep bearing registration number ATY 897, valued at US$7,000 (equivalent to NLe165,000), belonging to businessman Abubakarr Barrie.
The alleged offence occurred in June 2023 at Adonkia, Goderich, Freetown, within the Freetown Judicial District, Western Area.
Led in evidence by Police Constable 18235 T.K., the complainant told the court that in June 2023, he was the owner of an Infiniti QX4 Jeep bearing registration number ATY 897, valued at US$7,000.
Barrie testified that he purchased shock absorbers and engine oil and took the vehicle to the accused for repairs. He said the cost of the spare parts and workmanship amounted to NLe8,000.
According to him, the accused instructed him to return after one week to collect the vehicle. However, when he returned, the accused informed him that he was unwell.
Barrie told the court that he later travelled to the provinces, expecting that the repairs would be completed by the time he returned.
He further testified that upon returning to the garage, he discovered that the vehicle was no longer there. When he questioned the accused, he was allegedly informed that the Jeep had been parked inside a fenced compound.
The witness said that after several unsuccessful attempts to access the compound, he eventually entered when he found the gate open but could not find his vehicle.
Barrie said he returned to the garage, but the accused was not there. He added that he reported the matter to the head of the garage, who advised him to remain patient.
The complainant further told the court that his sister later informed him that the accused had been arrested, but before he arrived at the scene, the accused had escaped. He said he later apprehended the accused at Texaco.
According to Barrie, the accused took him to a man identified as Pa Beh, where he admitted that the Jeep had been entrusted to him for repairs and promised to begin making payments for it.
Barrie said Pa Beh assured him that he would engage the accused’s family members to raise funds to compensate him for the vehicle.
He further testified that after some days, Pa Beh advised him to take legal action against the accused. He subsequently reported the matter to the police, leading to the accused’s arrest in Kabala on a warrant.
The warrant was tendered in court and marked as Exhibit A. Barrie added that he later made a statement to the police together with his witness.
The matter has been adjourned to 27th July 2026 for further hearing.