By Emma Black.

Ibrahim Kamara, a 21-year-old unemployed man, faced Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Pademba Road Court No. 2 on Monday, April 14, 2025, charged with office breaking and larceny. The case, involving a bold theft at the Defence for Children International office in Freetown, saw compelling testimony from a program officer, shedding light on a crime that has rattled the local NGO community.
Kamara is accused of breaking into the charity’s office at 4 Old Railway Line, Tengbeh Town, on July 5, 2024, and stealing 38,250 Leones (approximately $1,800 USD) in cash, property of Defence for Children International, held in custody by employee Serah Saffa. The charge, under Section 26(1) of the Larceny Act 1916, carries potential penalties of up to seven years if convicted. No plea was taken as proceedings focused on witness testimony.
Prosecution witness Hassanatu Mansaray, a program officer at the organization, took the stand, led by Sergeant 8811 Florence M. Wilson. Mansaray, who identified complainant Saffa as her colleague, recounted the incident vividly, on July 5, I got a call from our finance manager while at home, she said. I rushed to the office and found it in chaos.” She described a scattered workspace, a damaged lock on her birth room, a broken cupboard, and suspicious footprints on the wall near the main hall. Checking her cupboard, she discovered 1,000 Leones missing a fraction of the total stolen sum reported. Mansaray promptly reported the breach to Congo Cross Police Station, where she gave a statement.
Kamara, unrepresented, did not cross-examine Mansaray, leaving her account unchallenged. The testimony painted a picture of a calculated break-in, targeting a charity dedicated to children’s rights, which has sparked outrage. “Stealing from kid’s programs is low, said Freetown vendor Fatmata Sesay, echoing community sentiment. NGO worker Mohamed Bangura added, these offices need better security our work’s too vital for this.”
The case highlights broader issues in Freetown, where petty crime surged 8% in 2024, per Sierra Leone Police data, often targeting under-secured offices. Defence for Children International, which supports vulnerable youth, now faces calls to bolster its safeguards. This hurts our mission, but we’ll keep serving, said an organization spokesperson, declining to comment on specifics.
Magistrate Bangura denied bail, citing the case’s seriousness and Kamara’s lack of fixed address, remanding him to Freetown’s male correctional facility. The matter is adjourned to April 21, 2025, with prosecutors hinting at more witnesses, including Saffa, who held custody of the stolen funds.
Residents hope for justice but see deeper fixes needed. “Punish him, yes, but create jobs so youth don’t steal,” said teacher Aminata Koroma, pointing to unemployment rates hovering at 15% for young adults, per 2024 Labour Ministry stats. Community leaders, like Imam Abdul Conteh, urged calm, advocating for both accountability and prevention. Meanwhile Magistrate Bangura refused bail and sent the accused person to the male correctional facility in Freetown matter adjourned to the 21st April 2025