By: Audrey Raymonda John
Albert Nuru Cole has made another appearance before Magistrate Julia Mary Gblo at Pademba Road Magistrate Court No. 5, where he is facing two counts of larceny contrary to Section 2 of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the particulars of the offence, the defendant allegedly stole one vehicle tyre valued at seven hundred thousand leones from a Toyota RAV4 with registration number ANG 241. The vehicle belongs to Chernor Ibrahim Mansaray. The incident reportedly occurred on Monday, February 23, 2026, along Pademba Road.
On the second count, the court heard that on the same date, the defendant allegedly stole five hundred United States dollars from the same vehicle. The money is said to be the property of Nancy Augusta Kamara and was reportedly in the custody of Chernor Ibrahim Mansaray at the time.
When the charges were read and explained, no plea was taken from the defendant.
Testifying before the court, prosecution witness Abdul Salam Barrie, a businessman, said he knew both the complainant and the defendant. He recalled that on February 23, 2026; while conducting his business near the museum on Pademba Road, he observed the defendant tampering with the wheel of the vehicle.
Barrie stated that he alerted a colleague, noting that the vehicle did not belong to the defendant, as he knew the rightful owner. When questioned, the defendant allegedly claimed that the owner, identified as Mr. Muhammed, had instructed him to remove the tyre.
Finding the explanation suspicious, Barrie said he asked his colleague to detain the defendant while he went to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to inform the complainant. He later returned with the complainant and police officers.
He further testified that the defendant was found in possession of the tyre, a jack, car keys, an identification card, and a driver’s licence, after which he was handed over to the police. Barrie confirmed that he made a statement at the police station.
At the close of the prosecution’s case, the defendant was given three options and chose to testify on oath. However, he requested an adjournment, citing ill health.
Magistrate Gblo granted the request, remanded the defendant in custody, and adjourned the matter to April 13, 2026, for further hearing.