By Elizabeth Kamara
Three men—25-year-old caretaker Kelfala Kargbo, 35-year-old businessman Issa Tarawally, and 52-year-old laborer Mohamed Tarawally—have been remanded in custody after making their first appearance before Magistrate Sahr Kekura at Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown.
They face four charges, including felony, store breaking, larceny, and receiving stolen goods, contrary to Sections 26(1) and 33(1) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
Court documents indicate that in May 2024, at Olufumi Drive in Gloucester Village, the accused allegedly conspired with others to break into the store of Olufumi Lola Johnson.
They reportedly stole a power rush generator, 30 pieces of plywood, 19.5 bags of cement, a submersible pump machine, a roll of water conduit pipe, and other items valued at a total of NLe303,815, all belonging to Johnson.
The third and fourth charges allege that Issa and Mohamed Tarawally knowingly received stolen items, including a power rush generator, seven tons of iron rods, and a submersible pump machine.
No plea was taken from the defendants. Prosecutor ASP I.S. Mansaray requested a short adjournment to prepare with his witnesses, while defense counsel T.W. Davies applied for bail on behalf of the second and third accused under Section 79(3) of the Criminal Procedure Act of 1965.
However, Magistrate Kekura denied bail and ordered all three men to be remanded at the Male Correctional Center. The case was adjourned to November 11, 2024.
