By: Audrey Raymonda John
Twenty-nine-year-old Abubakarr Kamara and 25-year-old Alpha Sankoh, a footballer, have been remanded at the Male Correctional Centre in Freetown after appearing before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No. 2 on three counts of conspiracy to commit a felony, burglary and larceny, and malicious damage.
The charges are brought under the relevant provisions of the Larceny Act 1916 and the Malicious Damage Act 1861.
According to the particulars of the offence, on 17 July 2026, at No. 13 Thompson Bay, off Wilkinson Road, Western Area, Freetown, the two accused allegedly conspired with other persons unknown to commit a felony, namely burglary and larceny.
Count Two alleged that, on the same date and at the same location, the accused, with intent to steal, broke into and entered the dwelling house of Mohamed Kallon and allegedly stole a 55-inch LG plasma television, one stabilizer, two school bags and other assorted items, with a total value of Le13,940, property of Mohamed Kallon.
Count Three further alleged that the accused maliciously damaged a door lock valued at Le300, also the property of Mohamed Kallon.
When the charges were read and explained to the accused, no plea was taken, as the matter is being dealt with through committal proceedings.
The prosecution was represented by Sergeant 8811 Florence Wilson. The first prosecution witness, DPC 15179 Precious Batilo Kallon, attached to the Criminal Investigation Department at Congo Cross Police Station, testified that he recognized both accused persons and the complainant.
He told the court that on 9 July 2026, while on duty at the station, the complainant, Mohamed Kallon, reported a case of housebreaking and larceny allegedly involving the two accused persons. The matter was subsequently assigned to him for investigation.
The witness said he obtained statements from the complainant and his witness, which were kept in police custody. The statements were produced and tendered in court as part of the evidence.
He further testified that, on the same date, he and DPC 19077 Mansaray A.B. obtained separate caution statements from the two accused persons.
According to the witness, the accused were cautioned and questioned separately in Krio, and their responses were recorded in English. He said that, after the statements were completed, they were read and explained to the accused separately in Krio, after which both allegedly admitted the statements to be true and correct by affixing their right-hand thumbprints.
The witness added that he and the other investigator subsequently visited the alleged crime scene at the complainant’s residence. He said the complainant identified the damaged door and the area from which the alleged stolen properties were taken.
The investigator told the court that he photographed the scene using his Samsung Android mobile phone.
At that stage, the prosecution applied for a short adjournment to continue with the presentation of its evidence.
Magistrate Fornah refused bail, citing the seriousness of the offences, and adjourned the matter to 27 August 2026.
The accused persons remain in custody pending the next court appearance.