By: Audrey Raymonda John
Osman Daramy, a former camera operator at the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation, has been granted bail following his initial court appearance before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown.
Mr. Daramy faces serious charges, including conspiracy to commit a felony and multiple counts of office breaking and larceny, arising from an alleged break-in at the SLBC premises.
According to court documents, the alleged offences occurred between January 5 and 6, 2026. The defendant is accused of conspiring with unknown individuals to unlawfully enter the SLBC offices at New England Ville, Freetown, and commit office breaking and theft.
The charges include counts 2 and 3: Allegedly breaking into the waiting room and engineering office to steal 43 plasma televisions valued at six thousand Leones (₵6,000) and a Samsung A56 Android mobile phone valued at five thousand Leones (₵5,000), property of SLBC and Vandi Massaquio.
Count 4: Allegedly breaking into the engineering office and stealing two thousand Leones (₵2,000) in cash, property of SLBC.
When the charges were read and explained, Mr. Daramy did not enter a plea.
During proceedings, the prosecution presented several witnesses including Mohamed A. Bah, Deputy Director General of SLBC, identified the defendant in CCTV footage capturing the alleged theft. He testified that although he is not a CCTV specialist, the footage clearly showed the defendant climbing the roof and entering the offices.
Alhaji Bangura, Director of Engineering at SLBC, confirmed reviewing CCTV footage that showed the defendant entering and leaving the premises during the incident.
Defence counsel A.N.D. Musa Esq renewed and adopted a previous bail application.
Magistrate Fornah granted bail in the amount of thirty thousand Leones (₵30,000) with one surety of the same amount. The surety must be a senior, responsible citizen residing in Freetown with a fixed address, gainfully employed, and able to produce a valid identity card showing proof of residence. Bail is to be approved by the Deputy Assistant Registrar.
The matter has been adjourned to April 1, 2026, for further proceedings.