By: Audrey Raymonda John
Two businessmen, Abdul Jabba Mansaray and Joseph Bellon, have been remanded after appearing before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No. 2 on five counts, including conspiracy, larceny, obtaining money by false pretences, and receiving stolen goods, contrary to the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the charge sheet, the first defendant, Abdul Jabba Mansaray, is alleged to have, on 13th January 2026 at No. 3 Bathurst Street, Freetown, conspired with other unknown persons to commit a crime, namely larceny.
He is further alleged to have stolen one Vivid IQ Echo Machine, valued at $37,100, property belonging to Professor Dr. James Russell.
The prosecution also alleges that on 28th and 29th January 2026, Mansaray obtained a total of Le 3,515 from Fatmata Jullet Nicolls and George Russell via Orange Money, under the false pretence that the funds were needed for transport to facilitate the recovery and movement of the stolen machine.
The second defendant, Joseph Bellon, is alleged to have, between 13th and 28th January 2026 in Freetown, received the stolen Vivid IQ Echo Machine, knowing it to be stolen property belonging to Professor Dr. James Russell.
When the charges were read and explained to the accused, no plea was taken.
The prosecution called its first witness, John Turay, a driver and cleaner responsible for the installation and dismantling of the machine at the hospital. He told the court that the machine belongs to Dr. Russell.
He testified that on 13th January 2026, he was at IPAM University with his employer, Dr. Russell, en route to their office in New England when Nurse Belinda called, instructing him to collect the machine from No. 3 Bathurst Street.
He said he went to the location, collected the machine, placed it in its bag, and loaded it into his boss’s vehicle. He later returned to close the clinic, ensuring that both gates were securely locked.
The witness further stated that upon returning to the vehicle, he discovered the machine was missing. He immediately went back to Bathurst Street to make enquiries, but no one could account for its whereabouts.
He added that he informed Dr. Russell, picked him up, and together they returned to Bathurst Street to continue the search, but again found no trace of the machine.
He told the court that he later reported the matter to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) the following day, where he made a formal statement.
At the end of his testimony, defence counsel A.B. Sesay and C. Campbell cross-examined the witness to challenge the prosecution’s case and establish the innocence of their clients.
After hearing submissions, Magistrate John Manso Fornah refused bail and ordered that both defendants be remanded at the Male Correctional Centre.
The matter was adjourned to 8th June 2026.