By: Audrey Raymonda John
Blessing Victoria Cole, a student from Fourah Bay College, testified on Wednesday, 26th November 2025, before Magistrate Shar Kekura at Pademba Road Court No.1, against two individuals accused of stealing her iPhone, valued at fifteen thousand new Leones.
The accused, Alimamy Sinneh and Alimamy Gbamkey, were arraigned on two counts: conspiracy to commit a felony and robbery with aggravation, contrary to Section 23(1) of the Larceny Act 1916, as amended by Section 2 of Act No. 16 of 1971.
The charge sheet stated that on Sunday, 23rd February 2025, at the Freetown Golf Club, Lumley Beach in Freetown, the accused conspired to commit robbery with aggravation. It further alleges that the accused, armed with a cutlass, stole an iPhone 11 Pro Max from Blessing Cole, valued at fifteen thousand new Leones, and immediately used personal violence against her.
In her testimony, Blessing Cole identified the accused in the dock and recalled the events of Sunday, 23rd February 2025. She explained that she had gone out with her friends to play basketball and, on her return, took the beach road to get home.
Upon arriving at the Freetown Golf Club, she received a phone call and, while attempting to answer it, felt someone snatch the phone from her. When she looked up, she recognized the first accused, Alimamy Sinneh. The witness stated that she then struggled with him, causing both of them to fall to the ground.
At this point, the second accused, Alimamy Gbamkey, appeared, grabbed the phone, crossed to the other side of the road, and fled. Cole said she continued to struggle with Sinneh, who threatened her with a cutlass, but she refused to give up the phone.
Soon after, passersby intervened, and Sinneh fled across the road and into the water. The men who helped Cole followed him into the water and were able to apprehend him.
The witness reported the incident at the police post at the Golf Club and provided a statement to the police. She was issued a medical report for treatment and examination, which was later submitted to the court as evidence.
The matter was transferred to the Lumley Police Station for further investigation. At this point, the prosecutor, CSP Bull, requested a short adjournment for the phone to be identified in court.
The accused were remanded in custody until 2nd April 2025 for the continuation of the case.
