By: Audrey Raymonda John
Five accused persons Mariatu Bangura (alias “Sampa”, 33), Alhassan Sankoh (a cleaner), Katimu Sillah (a house help), Noah Koroma (33, a bike rider), and Fatmata Sillah (26, unemployed) have appeared before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown on three counts of Conspiracy to Commit a Felony, Larceny by Servant, and Accessory After the Fact, all contrary to the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the charge sheet, on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at No. 8 Author Drive, Bango Farm, Goderich, in the Western Area of Sierra Leone, Mariatu Bangura, Alhassan Sankoh, and Katimu Sillah allegedly conspired with unknown persons to steal $25,000 (USD) from their employer, Zahra Khadar.
It is alleged that while being employed as domestic staff by Khadar, the three stole the amount from her residence. The third count alleges that Noah Koroma and Fatmata Sillah knowingly received and assisted the accused after the theft, by helping to conceal the crime and benefiting from the stolen money.
During the proceedings, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sorie Conteh, the prosecutor, led the first prosecution witness Zahra Khadar, a businesswoman who testified in court and identified all five accused persons.
She explained that the 1st accused, Mariatu Bangura, was her maid. The 2nd accused, Alhassan Sankoh, was her houseboy. The 3rd accused, Noah Koroma, was Mariatu’s boyfriend. The 4th accused, Fatmata Sillah, is Alhassan’s sister. The 5th accused (in one version referred to as Fatmata or Katimu Sillah), was her mother’s maid.
Khadar recalled that on August 26, 2025, she went to CEO Bank to transfer money to her business partner in Turkey but noticed that $2,400 USD was missing. She returned home and stored the remaining money in her safe.
Upon questioning the 1st accused about the missing amount, she denied involvement but later, along with the 2nd accused, admitted to taking the money. Mariatu returned $2,400, along with an additional $1,200. They then searched the 2nd accused’s room and recovered $800.
Khadar said he later discovered that Mariatu had purchased a motorbike for her boyfriend, the 3rd accused. The 1st accused also revealed that the 2nd accused had given money to his sister (the 4th accused) to buy another motorbike in the provinces.
Further searches led to the recovery of $3,600 in the 1st accused’s possession. The 3rd accused reportedly brought back the motorbike, admitting it was bought by Mariatu. The 4th accused also confirmed that she was given money by the 2nd accused to purchase a bike.
Khadar reported that a total of over $25,000 USD was stolen and that the police retrieved $2,000 USD from the 4th accused, now held in police custody.
Defense counsel M.Y. Conteh applied for bail on behalf of all accused persons, stating that they had credible sureties and would appear in court when required. He relied on Regulation 7 of the Bail Regulations (2018) and Section 76(1)(c) of the Criminal Procedure Act, 2024.
However, Magistrate Fornah refused bail, citing the seriousness of the offence and the risk of interference with prosecution witnesses.
The matter was adjourned to September 22, 2025, for further proceedings.