Sierra Leone male correctional center

By Emma Black

May 2, 2025 Julius Aruna Mongoh, a 20-year-old scrap metal worker, was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment by Magistrate Sahr Kekura at Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown. Mongoh faced two charges: malicious damage under the Malicious Damage Act 1861 and larceny under the Larceny Act 1916, following an incident at the Government Printing Department in New England Ville on February 1, 2025.

Prosecutors alleged that Mongoh damaged and stole four air conditioners, each valued at Le 30,000, totaling Le 120,000, property of the Government Printing Department. When the charges were read, Mongoh pleaded not guilty.

Inspector Kadie M. Taylor led the prosecution, presenting four witnesses, including a security officer and the exhibit clerk, who tendered evidence. The security officer testified to seeing Mongoh scale the fence with copper from the air conditioners, which were later recovered and identified by the department’s director as government property. Mongoh, unrepresented, cross-examined witnesses and relied on his police statement, denying the allegations.

Magistrate Kekura ruled that the prosecution proved the case beyond reasonable doubt, citing witness testimonies and exhibits. He referenced the Woolavington v DPP case, affirming Mongoh’s guilt. Mongoh pleaded for mercy, noting his clean record. Considering this, Magistrate Kekura sentenced him to 18 months at the correctional center or a fine of Le 2,000.

The case was adjourned to May 5, 2025, for compliance.

Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on Friday, May 5th, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)