By Mamajah Jalloh
James Alie, who is unemployed, Wednesday, 29th January 2025, made his first appearance before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court No.2 on one count charge of Larceny – Contrary to Section 2 of the Larceny Act of 1916.
The police charge sheet indicates that the accused, on Tuesday 2nd January 2025 at 83B Sir Samuel Lewis Road- Aberdeen, Freetown in the Western Area of the Republic of Sierra Leone, did steal three (3) cooking pots valued at Seven Hundred New Leones ( NLe 700) each, three items to a total value of Two Thousand One Hundred Leones( 2,100,00); and one Aluminum mortar valued at Three Hundred New Leones ( 300,00)- all to a total value of Two Thousand Four Hundred New Leones (NLe 2,400,00)- property of Solomon Stevens.
When the charge was read and explained to the accused person, he pleaded not guilty.
The accused was not legally represented.
The prosecution counsel, Sergeant 3379 Balley, led in prosecution witness number-1, Solomon Stevens, a student who recognized the accused in the dock as his neighbor; and he recalled that on the 2nd day of January 2025, something happened between him and the accused.
He said that the accused approached him about 1:00 am and begged him for food as he was hungry; and he asked him to go to the kitchen for some food.
Solomon maintained that at dawn he went to the kitchen where he could not find his pots, adding that he asked the accused for the pots, but the accused denied having knowledge of the pots, noting that he then took him to the Aberdeen Police Station where he made a statement.
Magistrate Bangura refused bail because the accused is a flight risk and has no fixed abode. The accused was remanded at the male correctional facility center in Freetown.
The case was adjourned to the 3rd of February 2025 for the continuation of his trial.
