By Emma Black

Twenty-nine-year-old Alhassan Koroma, a mason, made his initial appearance before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown, charged with one count of malicious damage under Section 51 of the Malicious Damage Act 1861.

The charge alleges that on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at Baoma Village, Goderich, in Freetown’s Western Area, Koroma maliciously damaged a cement pillar valued at 445 New Leones, the property of Tamba Gbolie. When the charge was read and explained, Koroma pleaded not guilty.

Prosecutor Sergeant Ballay T. requested a brief adjournment to confer with her witness, seeking to strengthen the case.

Magistrate Bangura granted bail to Koroma in the amount of 2,000 New Leones with one surety in the same sum. The surety must provide a valid identity card showing a Freetown address, with bail approval assigned to the Deputy Assistant Registrar. The matter was adjourned to April 16, 2025.