By: Audrey Raymonda John
Ibrahim Jalloh, a 32-year-old driver, made his first appearance before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown on a charge of larceny, contrary to Section 2 of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the particulars of the offence, sometime in December 2024 at Furniture, Allen Town in the Western Area of Freetown, the accused allegedly stole from a Ford Escape Jeep (registration number ANY 386) the sum of $1,400 USD (equivalent to Le 33,600) and Le 1,800 in physical cash, totalling Le 35,400. The property belongs to Ishmail Kamel Zayat.
When the charge was read and explained, the accused pleaded not guilty.
Prosecution, led by Sergeant 9939 Mohamed Lahai, called the complainant, Ishmail Kamel Zayat, as the first witness. Zayat, a contractor, identified the accused as his former driver. He recalled that in December 2024, Ibrahim Jalloh approached him claiming he had just been released from prison and was suffering from a foot infection. Zayat said he agreed to help with treatment, although he refused to give him cash.
According to Zayat, he took the accused to a pharmacy for treatment. On their way back, the vehicle ran out of fuel. At the time, Zayat said he had $1,500 stored in the vehicle’s locker. He withdrew $100 to buy fuel, converted it to Leones, purchased 20 liters of petrol, and placed the remaining Le 1,800 along with the $1,400 back into the vehicle locker.
He left the vehicle key in the parlor and went to bed while the accused slept in the same room. By morning, both the accused and the vehicle key were missing. Upon checking, he discovered the money had also disappeared. He then reported the matter to the Ross Road Police Station.
Zayat testified that about a month later, he received information on the accused’s whereabouts. He located Ibrahim Jalloh at the cement factory near Ferry Junction, apprehended him, and called for police assistance. The accused was arrested and taken to Ross Road Police Station, where he reportedly admitted to the offence.
Defense Counsel M.K.F. Douda renewed his previous bail application on behalf of the accused, but Magistrate Kekura refused bail.
Jalloh was remanded at the Male Correctional Facility in Freetown. The matter was adjourned to 15th April 2025.