By Mamajah Jalloh
Freetown, Sierra Leone — James Alie, an unemployed individual, appeared before Magistrate Santigie Bangura on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, in Pademba Road Court No. 2, facing a charge of larceny under Section 2 of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the police charge sheet, Alie is accused of stealing three cooking pots, each valued at Seven Hundred Leones (Le 700), and an aluminum mortar valued at Three Hundred Leones (Le 300) from Solomon Stevens on Tuesday, January 2, 2025. The total value of the stolen items was stated as Two Thousand Four Hundred Leones (Le 2,400). The incident allegedly took place at 83B Sir Samuel Lewis Road, Aberdeen, in the western area of Freetown.
When the charge was read and explained to the accused, Alie pleaded not guilty. At the time of his court appearance, he was not represented by a lawyer.
The prosecution, led by Sergeant 3379 Balley, called its first witness, Solomon Stevens, who testified that he recognized the accused as his neighbor. Stevens recalled that on the night of January 2, 2025, Alie had approached him around 1:00 AM, asking for food. Stevens claimed that he invited Alie to the kitchen to eat some food. However, when Stevens went to the kitchen the following morning, he found that his cooking pots were missing. He confronted Alie, who denied any knowledge of the theft. Stevens then took Alie to the Aberdeen Police Station, where a statement was made.
Magistrate Bangura denied bail, citing that the accused posed a flight risk and had no fixed address. Alie was remanded to the Male Correctional Facility in Freetown.
The case has been adjourned to February 3, 2025, for the continuation of the trial.
