Pademba Road Court
By Emma Black
Four men Sallieu Bangura, Sheku Sesay, Yayah Conteh, and Mohamed Jalloh have appeared before Magistrate Patrick Fofanah at Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown, facing charges of larceny in a dwelling house contrary to Section 13(a) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
The charges relate to the theft of a gold and diamond engagement ring valued at £3,000 (approximately Le96,000) from the residence of Latoya Garber at No. 53 Wilkinson Road on April 1, 2025.
During the proceedings, prosecution witness Elizabeth Garber, a housewife residing at 14 Victoria Street, Regent, took the stand. She identified the complainant as her daughter, Latoya, and testified that the first accused, Sallieu Bangura, had once served as a security guard at her apartment about five years ago. She said she did not recognize the other three accused persons.
Elizabeth recounted that on the date of the alleged incident; she was out of the country in Cape Verde when she received a distressing phone call from Latoya informing her that the engagement ring had gone missing. Acting on her daughter’s concern, she contacted Bangura via WhatsApp to ask about the ring, but he denied any involvement.
However, on April 27, Latoya informed her that Bangura had allegedly confessed to stealing the ring and selling it for just Le750. Shocked by the confession, Elizabeth told the court she immediately reported the matter to the Congo Cross Police Station.
When asked by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Wellington about the ring’s value and significance, Elizabeth described it as a precious gift from her husband, purchased during their time in England 37 years ago. She noted that the ring had sentimental value and that she had given it to her daughter because it had become too tight for her fingers over the years.
Following her testimony, the defense counsel requested bail for the accused men. However, ASP Wellington opposed the application, citing the seriousness of the crime and the emotional value of the stolen item, Magistrate Fofanah noted the prosecution’s objection and stated that it would be duly considered. He then adjourned the matter to May 28, 2025, for further hearing.
Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on Friday, May 30TH, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
