By: Audrey Raymonda John
Five defendants Mariatu Bangura, a cleaner; Alhassan Sankoh, a cleaner; Katimu Sillah; Noah Koroma, a bike rider; and Fatmata Sillah on Wednesday, 14 January 2026, made their final appearance before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at the Pademba Road Court No. 2 on three-count charges of conspiracy, larceny by servant, and accessory after the fact, contrary to the Larceny Act of 1916.
The charges include conspiracy contrary to law, larceny by servant contrary to Section 17(1)(a) of the Larceny Act of 1916, and accessory after the fact contrary to Section 35 of the Larceny Act of 191.
According to the particulars of offence, on Tuesday, 26 August 2025, at No. 8 Author Drive, First Bango, Goderich, in the Western Area of Freetown, the defendants conspired together with other persons unknown to commit a felony, to wit larceny by servant.
Count Two further stated that on the same date and at the same place, the defendants, being employed by Zahra Khadar, stole the sum of twenty-five thousand United States dollars (US$25,000), the property of the said Zahra Khadar.
Count Three stated that on the same date and place, the second and fourth defendants, knowing that Mariatu Bangura (alias Sampa) and Alhassan Sankoh had stolen the sum of US$25,000, did thereafter comfort, maintain, and assist the said Mariatu Bangura and Alhassan Sankoh in retaining the stolen property belonging to Zahra Khadar.
When the charges were read and explained to the defendants, they all pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution, led by Police Constable 18235 Kabie K. Thoronka, closed its case, and the matter was withdrawn for ruling.
In his ruling, Magistrate Fornah stated that after carefully reviewing the entire evidence adduced by the prosecution, both factual and formal, together with the exhibits tendered, including the voluntary caution statements and charge statements of all the defendants, he was satisfied that the prosecution had adduced sufficient evidence connecting all the defendants to the offences charged.
He therefore committed all five defendants to stand trial at the High Court for the offences with which they were charged.
However, Magistrate Fornah ordered that the existing bail conditions of all defendants remain unchanged, noting that they were cooperative throughout the proceedings, pursuant to Section 116(1) of the Criminal Procedure Act, 2024.