By: Audrey Raymonda John
The case involving 10 defendants charged with the alleged theft of a shipping container and its contents at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay in Cline Town, Freetown, has been adjourned to October 29, 2026, following a submission that the ninth defendant was seriously ill and had been admitted to Connaught Hospital.
The matter came before Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah at Pademba Road Court No. 1, where the defendants Abu Bakarr Kabba Mansaray, Ibrahim Ahmed Kargbo, Ibrahim Bangura, Benito Conteh, Mohamed Amara Kamara, Alhassan Kamara, Jacob Gbaya, Mohamed Sahr Tommy, Chernor Amadu Sesay and Abu Mansaray are facing five counts of conspiracy to commit larceny, larceny, forgery, uttering a forged document and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
The charges arise from allegations relating to the unlawful removal of a container reportedly detained as part of an ongoing criminal investigation by the Sierra Leone Police.
According to the particulars of offence, between May 1 and May 22, 2026, at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay in Cline Town, Western Area, Freetown, the defendants allegedly conspired with other persons unknown to steal a shipping container bearing serial number TLLU-2297785, together with its contents.
The container was reportedly in the lawful possession and control of the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA) and had been detained in connection with an ongoing police investigation.
Count two alleged that on May 13, 2026, at the same location, the defendants stole the container and its contents, with the intention of permanently depriving the SLPHA of its lawful possession and control.
Count three alleged that on May 15, 2026, the ninth defendant forged a staff identity card purportedly issued by Akim and Satu Clearing and Forwarding Agency, intending to use it as a genuine document to facilitate the unlawful removal of the detained container and its contents.
Count four further alleged that on the same date and at the same location, the ninth defendant knowingly and fraudulently presented the purportedly forged identity card as genuine to deceive SLPHA officers and facilitate the removal of the container.
The fifth count alleged that the defendants conspired with other persons unknown to pervert the course of justice by concealing or suppressing material evidence, tampering with closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage, procuring and using forged documents, and facilitating the unlawful removal of the container and its contents.
When the charges were read and explained to the defendants, no pleas were taken, as the matter remains at the committal proceedings stage.
Defence counsel, Maddieu Sesay Esq., informed the court that the ninth defendant was seriously ill and had been admitted to Connaught Hospital.
In response, State Prosecutor Yusuf Isaac Sesay Esq. acknowledged that illness was beyond human control but stressed the need for clarity regarding the defendant’s medical condition.
He told the court that the medical report should have been served on the prosecution to enable the State to understand the defendant’s condition and determine the appropriate course of action.
The prosecutor noted that his witness was present in court and argued that the prosecution should be informed of the defendant’s current medical status. He said the information was necessary to determine how best to proceed in the interests of the remaining defendants and the State.
Yusuf Isaac Sesay Esq. also requested that the medical doctor who issued the report appear before the court and take an oath to explain the ninth defendant’s current condition.
Following the submissions, the prosecutor applied for a short adjournment to allow the matter to proceed in light of the circumstances.
Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah subsequently adjourned the case to October 29, 2026.
The matter is expected to resume on the adjourned date.