By Elizabeth Kamara
Magistrate Santige Bangura
Twenty-seven-year-old Alhaji Kamara, a student, appeared before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Pademba Road Magistrate Court No. 2 in Freetown on charges of larceny in a dwelling house, contrary to Section 13(1) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
The prosecution alleges that on October 27, 2024, at No. 4 Kebe Drive, Juba Hill, Freetown, Kamara unlawfully broke into the home of his uncle, Alhaji Issa Catco Kamara, and stole items including a Z Fold mobile phone, two Samsung Galaxy A24 mobile phones, an iPhone 14 Plus, assorted electronic devices, and other valuables totaling 516,400 Leones.
The complainant, Alhaji Issa Catco Kamara, a businessman, testified as the prosecution’s first witness, led by Sergeant 8811 Florence M. Wilson.
In his testimony, Kamara explained that he had left for the United States, locking his house and securing the keys in a concrete-built portable safe reinforced with heavy steel rods. A spare set of keys was left with the accused, which was responsible for maintaining the property along with another relative, Abdul Kabia.
Upon returning from the U.S. on October 27 at 3:00 a.m., Kamara discovered signs of forced entry into the room housing the safe. He found the room vandalized and the safe tampered with. The contents of the safe, including $5,000 in cash and other items, were missing.
Kamara revealed that the accused, his nephew, denied any involvement when questioned. However, Kamara informed the police, who took photographs of the scene and initiated an investigation.
The accused, who was unrepresented in court, cross-examined the witness.
Magistrate Bangura refused bail and remanded the accused to the male correctional facility in Freetown. The case was adjourned to November 26, 2024, for further hearing.
