By: Audrey Raymonda John
Three men Patrick Ansumana (36, driver), Samuel Ansumana (19, student), and Foday Fornah (45, stone miner) made their first appearance before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown on allegations of theft and housebreaking. They face three charges: conspiracy to commit a crime, housebreaking and larceny, and receiving stolen goods, all contrary to the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the charge sheet, the incident occurred on Friday, 3rd January 2025, at Ya-Marie Drive, Hill Station, in the Mountain Rural District, Western Area. The accused are alleged to have conspired with unknown persons to break into the residence of Bintu Sankoh, a businesswoman.
Count Two states that the accused, with intent to steal, unlawfully broke into Madam Sankoh’s home and stole Le170,000, $700 USD, and assorted items bringing the total value of stolen property to Le238,610.
Count Three alleges that the third accused, Foday Fornah, knowingly received the stolen goods, including the cash and items listed above, all confirmed to be the property of Madam Sankoh.
The prosecution, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Sorie Conteh, called Bintu Sankoh as their first witness. She identified the first and second accused as children of her late husband and the third accused as her neighbour.
In her testimony, Sankoh recalled that she was away on business when she received a phone call from a neighbor named Mabinty, informing her that her home had been broken into. She immediately reported the incident to Akon Police Station, and two police trucks escorted her to the property.
Upon arrival, they found all three accused on her premises. They were arrested at the scene.
A search warrant was subsequently issued. During the search, some of the missing items including machines, a large traveling bag, Le170,000 in cash, a small safe containing $700 USD, 14 pairs of sneakers (each costing Le400), and six blankets were reportedly recovered from the home of the third accused.
Sankoh added that her room had been ransacked, with belongings scattered everywhere. She used her TCL Android phone to take photographs of the crime scene before the phone was damaged. These photos were later submitted to the police and identified as exhibits Z1–Z6 during the investigation.
She confirmed that the recovered items are now in police custody and stated she would be able to identify them if presented in court. A statement was later made to the police to support her claims.
The witness was cross-examined by J.T. Mansaray Esq.
No plea was taken from the accused persons during their first appearance. Magistrate Fornah adjourned the matter to 4th July 2025, with bail continuing for all accused.