By: Audrey Raymonda John
Osman Sesay, a painter, and Idrissa Conteh, a businessman, appeared again before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown. The two are facing three counts: Conspiracy to commit a felony contrary to law, Store breaking and larceny contrary to Section 26(1) of the Larceny Act of 1916, and
Receiving stolen goods contrary to Section 33(1) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the particulars of the offence, between 3rd August and 21st December 2024, at the Faith Healing Bible Church construction site in Congo Town, Western Area, Freetown, the accused persons conspired with others unknown to commit store breaking and larceny.
Count Two alleges that Osman Sesay, the first accused, broke into the church’s storage facility and stole items including: One set of Yamaha speakers, a single EV speaker, three mixers, generator cables, and other assorted equipment with a total estimated value of Le231,300. These items are said to be the property of Faith Healing Bible Church.
Count Three accuses Idrissa Conteh, the second accused, of knowingly receiving a stolen speaker valued at Le900.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Sorie Conteh led Prosecution Witness No. 4, DPC 13878 Paul Blango, attached to the Breaking and Larceny Unit at the CID Headquarters. Blango testified that on 4th September 2025, while on duty, a case of store breaking and larceny was reported and assigned to him for investigation.
A team of detectives, led by Inspector Hassan Dumbuya, visited the crime scene in Congo Town. They observed signs of forced entry, and the Scene of Crime Officer took photographs. Upon returning to the office, statements were obtained from the complainant and other witnesses.
On 6th January 2025, the complainant brought the first accused, Osman Sesay, to CID. DPC Blango, along with Inspector Dumbuya and DPC 18468 Kamara A.D., obtained a voluntary caution statement from the accused in Krio, which was transcribed into English, read back to him in Krio, and confirmed with his right-hand thumbprint. The statement was witnessed and signed by Inspector Dumbuya. It was tendered in court and marked as Exhibit A1–7.
On 14th January 2025, Sesay was formally charged using the same procedure. His charge statement was produced and admitted as Exhibit B1–3.
Similarly, on 24th December 2024, the second accused, Idrissa Conteh, provided a voluntary caution statement using the same process. This was also tendered in court as Exhibit C1–15.
Further statements from Conteh were taken on 30th December 2024 and 31st December 2024, and admitted as Exhibits D1–7, E1–7, and F1–3, respectively.
During the investigation, a large speaker box was recovered from the second accused. The witness confirmed he could identify the speaker if presented in court.
Under cross-examination by defense counsel A.B. Marrah, DPC Blango maintained the details of his testimony.
Magistrate Fornah adjourned the matter to 27th June 2025. Bail was continued for the second accused, Idrissa Conteh, while the first accused, Osman Sesay, remains remanded at the Male Correctional Facility in Freetown.