By: Audrey Raymonda John
Magarette Conteh made her first appearance before Magistrate John Manso Fornah of Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown on a charge of Larceny, contrary to Section 2 of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the particulars of the offence, on Wednesday, 10th September 2025, at No. 8E Nylender Street, off FAO Drive, Crab Town in the Western Area of Freetown, Conteh allegedly stole a Tames wristwatch valued at Five Hundred and Seventy United States Dollars (USD $570), which is equivalent to Le 10,955. The wristwatch was the property of Ahmad Alasawi.
When the charge was read and explained to the defendant, she pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Sergeant 3379 Ballay T, presented the first prosecution witness, a motor mechanic, who recognized the defendant and recalled events from the night of 10th September 2025. The mechanic stated that he had met the defendant that night, and they went to his home, where they spent the night together.
The mechanic continued, explaining that the following morning, it was raining, and he was preparing to go to work. The defendant asked if she could stay at his house, to which he agreed, leaving for Waterloo. He later received a call from the defendant, who told him there was water leaking in the bathroom and requested that someone named Aruna go to fix it.
The mechanic added that when he returned home later that day, the defendant told him she was ready to leave, and he gave her Le 450. After going to take a bath, he discovered that his Tames wristwatch was missing. He then called the defendant, asking her to return the watch, but she shouted at him, telling him not to contact her again.
The mechanic further explained that he wrapped the missing watch box and took it to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), where he reported the incident and provided a statement, along with his witness Aruna (the plumber).
The defense counsel, E. Ellis, applied for bail on behalf of the defendant, arguing that she had reliable sureties who could stand in her recognizance if bail was granted. The counsel based the application on Section 76(1)(c) of the Criminal Procedure Act of 2024 and the Bail Regulations of 2018.
However, Magistrate Fornah refused bail, citing concerns that the defendant might interfere with prosecution witnesses. The defendant was sent to the Female Correctional Centre in Freetown on remand.
The case has been adjourned to 20th October 2025 for the continuation of her trial.