By Mohamed Mansaray in Kenema
A local farmer, Morray Kanneh, of Tilorma Village in the Kenema Judicial District, has been sentenced to six months’ imprisonment by Magistrate Hadiru Daboh of Magistrate Court No.1 in Kenema for the offence of larceny, contrary to Section 2 of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to court records, on Monday, July 14, 2025, Kanneh unlawfully stole a quantity of cocoa pods valued at Five Thousand New Leones (NLe 5,000). The stolen items were the property of Momoh Kamara, also of Tilorma Village, located in the Nongowa Chiefdom in Sierra Leone’s Eastern Province.
Upon appearing before the court, the accused pleaded guilty and begged for leniency. However, citing his repeat offences, Magistrate Daboh sentenced him to six months’ imprisonment at the Sierra Leone Correctional Service (SLCS) in Kenema.
The prosecution, led by WPC 13576 Fatmata Sillah, revealed that Morray Kanneh is not a first-time offender. He has previously appeared in court for similar offences. In October 2024, he was brought before the court by his father, James Swaray. Again, in March 2025, his uncle, Chief Momoh Swaray, had taken legal action against him, and in the current matter, he was brought to court by his brother, Momoh Kanneh.
In his remarks, Magistrate Daboh sternly cautioned the public—particularly those who fail to attend court when summoned. Expressing frustration, he stated:
“I make allowances for those coming from nearby villages due to transportation and weather challenges, but for those residing in the city, I only give a few minutes’ grace before I discharge the matter.”
He added, Because of the rain, I come to court early before 9:00 a.m. The court must keep running. I do not entertain cases that drag unnecessarily due to non-attendance.
Magistrate Daboh further noted that multiple adjournments waste court time and warned that he will discharge such cases if parties fail to appear after repeated notices.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday,4th August 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
