By: Audrey Raymonda John
Thirty-year-old Peter Braima, a civil servant, has made another appearance before Magistrate John Manso Fornah of Pademba Road Court No. 2 on a charge of larceny in a dwelling house, contrary to Section 13(a) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the particulars of the offence, the accused allegedly stole five thousand two hundred and ten United States dollars (US$5,210), equivalent to one hundred and twenty-four thousand leones (Le124,000), from the dwelling house of Lovetta Kamara. The alleged incident occurred between Saturday, 28th February and 1st March 2026 at No. 9 Charlotte Village in the Western Area of Freetown.
When the charge was read and explained to the defendant, he pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Deputy Superintendent of Police Sorie Conteh, led the prosecution’s first witness, Lovetta Kamara, a businesswoman. She told the court that she recognized the defendant, who had been working for her as a security guard.
During cross-examination by defence counsel Walter Gaber Esq., the witness confirmed that there is a security post within her compound where the defendant used to sleep. She also stated that although she has CCTV cameras installed at her home, she did not provide any footage to the police.
The witness further disclosed that individuals named Mohamed, Adama, and Abdul Rahman also work for her as salespersons. She noted that she does not usually count money with the defendant but receives daily updates from her staff.
She told the court that the defendant regularly attended church on Sundays and was typically replaced by a colleague, identified as Senessie, during his absence. She also confirmed that she paid the defendant wages in addition to his salary as a civil servant.
Lovetta Kamara stated that she did not personally witness the defendant taking the money. She added that the information implicating the defendant was relayed to her by a bike rider, as well as by one of her employees, Abdul Rahman. She concluded her testimony on that note.
Following the testimony, defence counsel Walter Gaber Esq. renewed his previous application for bail.
However, Magistrate Fornah refused bail and ordered that the defendant be remanded at the male correctional facility in Freetown. The matter has been adjourned to 14th April 2026.