By Mamajah Jalloh
Freetown, Sierra Leone – Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court No. 2 on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, granted bail to Princess Kanu, a nurse, in connection with an alleged office breaking and larceny at the Rheuma Salone Clinic. Her co-accused, Bayoh Kamara, a cleaner, and Abdul Karim Kamara, a security guard, were remanded in custody.
The trio faced two charges: conspiracy contrary to law and office breaking and larceny, contrary to Section 26(1) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
The prosecution alleges that on November 15, 2024, the accused conspired with unknown individuals to break into the Rheuma Salone Clinic at No. 17 Wilkinson Road, Freetown. They reportedly stole $5,400 (approximately Le135,000 in the new leones) and an additional Le40,000 in cash, amounting to a total of Le175,000. The stolen property belongs to Professor Abdou El-Labbam, the clinic’s proprietor.
Professor El-Labbam testified that he recognized Bayoh Kamara as his cleaner, Abdul Karim Kamara as his security guard, and Princess Kanu as his nurse. He recounted that he was alerted to the break-in on November 15 by his assistant. Upon arriving at the clinic, he discovered the external locks had been damaged and the safe emptied.
The complainant also revealed that a local spiritual healer, introduced by the first accused’s brother, identified Bayoh Kamara as the individual responsible for stealing Le175,000 from the safe.
When the charges were read, no pleas were entered by the accused. State prosecutor ASP Sorie Conteh sought to proceed with the case, as the complainant was present in court.
The first and second accused were unrepresented, while defense lawyer A.M. Kamara appeared on behalf of the third accused, Princess Kanu. Kamara applied for bail, arguing that Kanu would not interfere with witnesses and had credible sureties willing to ensure her compliance with court proceedings.
Magistrate Bangura granted bail to Kanu in the sum of Le70,000, with two sureties of like sum. The sureties must be responsible citizens residing in Freetown, and the bail is subject to court approval. However, Bayoh Kamara and Abdul Karim Kamara were remanded at the male correctional facility in Freetown.
The case has been adjourned to December 10, 2024, for further hearings.
