By: Audrey Raymonda John
18-year-old Alimamy Bangura has been remanded at the Male Correctional Centre in Freetown after appearing before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No. 2 on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, on a charge of housebreaking and larceny, contrary to Section 26(1) of the Larceny Act, 1916.
According to the particulars of the offence, Bangura was alleged to have, on June 2, 2026, at No. 23 Carlton Carew Road, off Wilkinson Road, Freetown, entered the dwelling house of Sarah Tarawalie with intent to steal.
The prosecution alleged that he stole NLe35,000, £40 equivalent to NLe1,328, US$45 equivalent to NLe1,109, a plated gold necklace valued at £145 equivalent to NLe4,350, three pairs of white trainers valued at £450 each and three green plastic chairs valued at NLe433 each.
The items were alleged to have a total value of NLe58, 031 and were the property of Sarah Tarawalie.
When the charge was read and explained to Bangura, no plea was taken because the matter is being heard under committal proceedings.
The prosecution, led by Sergeant 3379 Ballay T., called its second witness, DPC 14061 Conteh M.A., attached to the CID at Congo Cross Police Station.
Testifying in court, DPC Conteh said he was on duty on June 2, 2026, when the complainant reported the alleged housebreaking and larceny.
He said he and DPC 13974 Johannes C. visited the crime scene, where they observed damage extending from the veranda roof into the kitchen.
The witness told the court that DPC Johannes took photographs of the scene and later obtained statements from the complainant and two other witnesses. The statements were produced and tendered in court as exhibits A1–4, B1–3 and C1–3.
He further testified that Bangura was arrested and brought to the police station by the complainant.
DPC Conteh said that on September 2, 2026, he and DPC 17879 Kamara A.K. obtained a caution statement from Bangura in Krio, which he recorded in English.
According to the witness, after the statement was recorded, it was read and explained to Bangura in Krio. He allegedly admitted that the statement was true and correct by affixing his right thumbprint in the presence of DPC Kamara, while Conteh signed as the recorder. The statement was tendered as exhibits D1–9.
The witness further stated that on September 7, 2026, the police charged Bangura with housebreaking and larceny and cautioned and questioned him in Krio. The statement was recorded in English and subsequently read and explained to him in Krio.
Conteh said Bangura admitted that the statement was true and correct by affixing his right thumbprint in the presence of DPC Kamara, while he signed as the recorder. The statement was tendered as exhibits E1–3.
Bangura was not legally represented in court and indicated that he had no questions for the witness during cross-examination.
Magistrate Fornah subsequently remanded Bangura at the Male Correctional Centre in Freetown and ordered that subpoenas be served on the absent prosecution witnesses.
The matter was adjourned to October 13, 2026, for further proceedings.