Pademba Road Court

By Emma Black

Julius Aruna Mongoh, a 20-year-old scrap metal collector, made his first appearance before Magistrate Sahr Kekura at Pademba Road Court No.1 in Freetown, facing two charges malicious damage contrary to Section 51 of the malicious damage Act of 1861, and larceny contrary to section 2 of the larceny Act of 1916.

According to court records, on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at the government printing department in New England Ville, Freetown, Mongoh allegedly caused malicious damage to four air conditioners, each valued at Le30,000, totaling Le120,000. The property belonged to the Government Printing department.

The second count stated that on the same date and at the same location, Mongoh allegedly stole the four air conditioners, also valued at a total of Le120,000.When the charges were read and explained, the accused pleaded not guilty.

Prosecutor Inspector Kadie M. Taylor led four witnesses in building the prosecution’s case. After the prosecution closed its case, the file was withdrawn for ruling.

Delivering his judgment, Magistrate Kekura said the prosecution had successfully called four witnesses, including a formal witness and the exhibit clerk, who tendered relevant evidence, the accused, who was unrepresented, cross-examined the witnesses and relied on his police statement for his defense, in which he denied the allegations.

Magistrate Kekura emphasized that in every criminal proceeding, the burden lies on the prosecution to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt, he noted that although the accused denied the allegation in his police statement, prosecution witness 1, a security officer, testified that he saw the accused scaling the fence with copper materials in his possession. Furthermore, the copper materials were recovered from Mongoh and tendered in court as exhibits.

Prosecution Witness 2, the director of the government printing services, positively identified the recovered items as government property.

In light of the evidence before the court, and based on the standard of proof required in criminal matters, I am satisfied that the prosecution has proven its case beyond reasonable doubt, Magistrate Kekura stated, referencing the legal precedent Woolmington vs D.P.P., which reinforces that doubt must favor the accused.

Mongoh pleaded for mercy, stating this was his first time being in conflict with the law.

Taking his plea and first-time offender status into consideration, Magistrate Kekura sentenced Mongoh to 18 months imprisonment at the Male Correctional Center or, alternatively, to pay a fine of Le2,000 to the state.

Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on Friday, May 9th, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)