By Mamajah Jalloh
Freetown, Sierra Leone – Lamin Bangura, a 25-year-old cleaner, made his first appearance before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown on Thursday, 12th December, 2024, facing a charge of Larceny, contrary to Section 13 (a) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the particulars of the offence, on Friday, 18th October 2024, at #32 Benjamin Lane in the western area of Freetown, Bangura allegedly entered the dwelling house of Pawel Andizel Kusmierzak, a Polish national, and stole $15,000 in cash and two and a half kilograms of gold. The total value of the stolen items was estimated at 4,848,000 Leones.
When the charge was read and explained, the accused did not enter a plea.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Dialla Wellington led Prosecution witness number two, DPC 14288 Ibrahim Bangura, who is attached to the Anti-Fraud Unit at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters in Freetown. DPC Ibrahim Bangura testified that on 18th October 2024, while on duty, he and a team of detectives, led by Sergeant 10587 Foday Jaiah, went to Hilltop Guesthouse at #32 Benjamin Lane, where the complainant reported that his money and gold had been stolen from his bedroom. He explained that one of the cleaners had fled, leaving the accused behind. Bangura was arrested and taken into custody.
During the investigation, DPC Ibrahim Bangura stated that he and Sub Inspector Hassan Kargbo obtained a voluntary caution statement from the accused person in Krio, which was then recorded in English. The statement was read over and explained to the accused, who confirmed its accuracy by affixing his thumbprint. The statement was tendered in court and became part of the record. On 20th October 2024, a second caution statement was taken from the accused, which was also recorded and tendered in court.
Additionally, the witness confirmed that the police received a memory stick containing CCTV footage of the accused and Dauda Koroma at the scene, which was handed over to the Cyber Unit for further analysis.
During cross-examination by defense counsel Randy Bangura Esq., a previous bail application on behalf of the accused was renewed. However, Magistrate Bangura refused bail due to the nature of the charges and the accused’s lack of a fixed address.
The case has been adjourned to the 20th of December, 2024, for further hearings.
