By: Audrey Raymonda John
Twenty-two-year-old Sheku Marrah, a welder; twenty-six-year-old Rugiatu Bah, a petty trader; and twenty-three-year-old Musa Bah, a motorcycle rider, made their first appearance before Magistrate John Manso Fornah of Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown on three charges of theft.
The charges include one count of larceny, contrary to Section 2 of the Larceny Act of 1916, and two counts of receiving stolen goods, contrary to Section 33(1) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the particulars of the offense, on 20th September 2025, at Mamudu Town, Gloucester Village, in the Western Area of Freetown, the first defendant, Sheku Marrah, allegedly stole six PVC pipes, half a ton of 12mm full-length iron rods, oil paint, and other assorted items, with a total value of twenty-two thousand two hundred and ninety Leones (Le 22,290), property of Claudia Sam.
Count two further states that, on the same date and at the same location, the second defendant, Rugiatu Bah, allegedly received two large rubber leather shield paints, valued at one thousand three hundred Leones (Le 1,300), knowing them to have been stolen.
Count three alleges that, on the same date and at the same location, the third defendant, Musa Bah, received half a ton of 12mm full-length iron rods, valued at seven thousand Leones (Le 7,000), also knowing them to have been stolen, and that the property was the possession of Claudia Sam.
When the charges were read and explained to the defendants, they each pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Detective Police Constable 18235 Thoronka K.K, requested a short adjournment to call his first witness.
Counsel representing the defendants, E.J. Aruna Esq., applied for bail on their behalf.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Fornah granted bail to the second and third defendants in the sum of ten thousand Leones (Le 10,000) each, with one surety each in like sum. The sureties must reside in Freetown and produce valid identity cards showing their address in Freetown. Bail will be approved by the Deputy Assistant Registrar. The matter has been adjourned to 21st October 2025.