By: Audrey Raymonda John
Twenty-nine-year-old Umaru Sesay, a driver, appeared before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No. 2, facing a charge of house breaking with intent, contrary to Section 27 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.
According to the particulars of the offence, on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at Hill Station in the Mountain Rural Area of Freetown, Sesay allegedly broke and entered the dwelling of Ivan Bangura with intent to commit a crime.
When the charge was read and explained, no plea was taken from the defendant, who was not legally represented.
Prosecution witness Ivan Bangura, a pupil, testified that he recognized the defendant. He recalled that on March 12, 2026, something unusual occurred between him and the defendant. On the 16th of March, around 8–10 pm, Bangura went to check the site where building materials were stored and found the defendant damaging the wall with a stone.
When questioned by Bangura about his actions, the defendant denied taking anything. Bangura asked him to wait while he checked for missing items, but the defendant ran away. Bangura then shouted “thief,” and the defendant was apprehended by local boys near the Car Wash area. The suspect was later escorted to the Allentown Police Station to report the matter.
Police officers visited the crime scene and took photographs using a Samsung A06 Android phone. The printed photographs, marked as exhibits Z1–3, were presented in court. The witness also stated that he made a statement to the police following the incident.
Magistrate Fornah refused bail and remanded Umaru Sesay to the Male Correctional Facility in Freetown. The matter has been adjourned to April 16, 2026, for further hearing.