By: Audrey Raymonda John
Three men accused of larceny and assault made another appearance before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown on two counts of larceny contrary to Section 2 of the Larceny Act of 1916 and assault occasioning actual bodily harm contrary to Section 47 of the Offences Against the Person Act of 1861.
The accused Alimamy Dumbuya alias Dedeh, 37, a mason; Charles Lahai, 31, a mason; and Abdul Davidon, 37, also a mason is alleged to have committed the offences on Saturday, 31 January 2026, at Dadley Street, Regent Village, Freetown, in the Western Area of the Republic of Sierra Leone.
According to the police charge sheet, the defendants allegedly stole one Samsung Galaxy S21 mobile phone valued at NLe 12,000; one brown bag valued at NLe 500; and cash amounting to US$6,800 (equivalent to NLe 161,160). The total value of the stolen items is estimated at NLe 173,660. The property reportedly belongs to Mohamed Gabriel Conteh.
Count Two states that on the same date and at the same location, the defendants allegedly assaulted Mohamed Gabriel Conteh in a manner that caused him actual bodily harm.
When the charges were read and put to the accused, they pleaded not guilty to both counts.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Dialla Wellington led the prosecution’s first witness, Mohamed Kabbie Conteh, a businessman, who testified that he recognized all three defendants. He recalled that on 31 January 2026, he had gone to Regent to inspect his land along with a surveyor named Hassan.
According to the witness, he met the defendants carrying bricks to another part of the land and instructed them to stop. He further told them he would call the police. He stated that as the surveyor was about to survey the land, the defendants began using abusive language.
He alleged that the first defendant was armed with a cutlass, the second with a stone, and the third with a stick. They allegedly attacked him and beat him with sticks. He further testified that the second and third defendants took away his bag and a plastic bag containing documents, leaving him with the first defendant.
The witness stated that the first defendant struck his hand and forcefully took his mobile phone. He said he sustained injuries to his hand and felt pain all over his body. He and the surveyor later reported the matter to the Regent Police Station, where he was issued a medical request form for treatment at Connaught Hospital.
He told the court that he was treated at the hospital and that the endorsed medical form was identified in court as Exhibit Z. He added that the stolen items included a Samsung Galaxy S21 mobile phone, an ash-coloured bag containing US$6,800, and land documents bearing the name Bontine Thomas and others. He subsequently made a statement to the police.
Defence Counsel M.S. Sumaru cross-examined the witness and applied for the adoption of a previous bail application.
Magistrate Fornah granted bail to all three defendants in the sum of NLe 70,000 each, with one surety each in like sum. The sureties must be senior, responsible citizens residing in Freetown with fixed addresses.
The court further ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed, provide proof of employment within Freetown, and present valid national identification cards along with employment ID cards. Bail and sureties are to be approved by the Deputy Assistant Registrar.
The matter has been adjourned to 5 March 2026 for further hearing.