By: Audrey Raymonda John
Osman Kargbo, a 20-year-old apprentice, and Komba Emmanuel Ngeiao, a 33-year-old kekeh rider, appeared before Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah at Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown on October 10, 2025, facing three charges. These charges include Conspiracy to Commit a Felony, and two counts of Larceny, under Section 2 of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the particulars of the offence, on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at Action Aid, off Freetown Road, Lumley (Western Area, Freetown), the two defendants conspired with others whose identities are unknown to commit the crime of *larceny.
The charges further state that, on the same date and at the same location, the first defendant, Osman Kargbo, stole half a ton of 11mm iron rods and half a ton of 12mm 5.8 iron rods, valued at 13,115 Leones. The stolen items belonged to Samuel Sesay.
When the charges were read and explained in court, both defendants pleaded *not guilty.
Sergeant 9939 Mohamed Lahai led the prosecution and called DPC 2132 Francis A. Jornah from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Lumley Police Station. In his testimony, DPC Jornah stated that on July 5, 2025, while on duty, the complainant (Samuel Sesay) had arrested the first defendant (Osman Kargbo) and reported the larceny case.
The matter was assigned to DPC Jornah for investigation. He stated that he collected statements from the complainant and witnesses. On the same day, he, along with DPC 14433 Komeh, obtained a voluntary caution statement from the first defendant in Krio, which was then recorded in English. The statement was read over and explained to the defendant, who admitted its truth and signed the statement with his thumbprint. The statement was tendered as evidence in court.
DPC Jornah further testified that on the same date, he and the Scene of Crime Officer, DPC 13164 Turay, visited the crime scene, where photographs were taken. These photographs were submitted as evidence.
On July 10, 2025, the complainant arrested the second defendant (Komba Emmanuel Ngeiao) and brought him to the station. A voluntary caution statement was also obtained from the second defendant, following the same procedure as with the first defendant. The second defendant’s statement was also tendered in court.
DPC Jornah concluded his testimony by stating that both defendants were charged with the offences and are standing trial for the alleged theft.
After hearing the prosecution’s case, Magistrate Jah refused bail and remanded both defendants to the Male Correctional Facility in Freetown. The matter was adjourned to October 15, 2025 for further proceedings.
The defendants’ statements and the evidence gathered during the investigation have been officially submitted to the court to form part of the records for the ongoing trial.
Both defendants had the opportunity to cross-examine the prosecution’s witness, but as of now, no further developments have been shared on the outcome of this cross-examination.
The case continues to unfold, with both defendants maintaining their not guilty pleas.