By: Audrey Raymonda John
Fatmata Lasayo and Abdul Bio have been arraigned before Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah at Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown on charges of burglary and larceny, contrary to Sections 25(1) and 23(a) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to police reports, on Friday, August 13, 2025, Fatmata Lasayo allegedly broke into the residence of Ibrahim Suma at NASSIT Drive, Wilkinson Road, Lumley, with intent to steal. She is accused of unlawfully entering the premises and taking the following items one Samsung mobile phone valued at Le2,000, one Itel mobile phone valued at Le1,500, cash in Guinean Francs equivalent to Le5,000.
The total value of the stolen property is estimated at Le8,000.
On August 1, 2025, co-accused Abdul Bio is alleged to have knowingly received the stolen mobile phones, which were the property of Ibrahim Suma.
A key prosecution witness, Ramatu Summah, a driver residing at 30 Wilkinson Road, testified that she was asleep when she heard suspicious noises around 3:00 a.m. on the night of the incident. Upon investigation, she found Fatmata Lasayo inside the house.
According to Summah, Lasayo claimed she was there to fetch water and that a male relative had brought her. However, a quick search revealed that two mobile phones were missing, and her brother’s motorbike had been tampered with.
Lasayo was apprehended by residents and taken to the Lumley Police Station, where the situation reportedly escalated. Upon arrival, she called her husband, who allegedly tried to interfere with police operations and was subsequently arrested.
Police investigations revealed that the stolen mobile phones had already been sold, and a confession was reportedly made at the station by the accused.
Both Fatmata Lasayo and Abdul Bio have been remanded in custody, and the case has been adjourned to September 8, 2025, for further hearing.