By Mamajah Jalloh
James Alie, who is unemployed, Tuesday, 22st January 2025, made his first appearance before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court No.2 on Monday, 3rd January 2025 on one count charge of Larceny contrary to Section 2 of the Larceny Act of 1916.
The police charge sheet indicated 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 Seven Hundred Leones (Le 700,00) each, another valued at Two Thousand, One Hundred Leones (2,100,00) and one Aluminum mortar valued at Three Hundred Leones (300,00)- all to a total value of Two Thousand, Four Hundred Leones (Le 2,400,00), property of Solomon Stevens.
When the charge was read and explained to the accused person, he pleaded not guilty as he was not legally represented at that moment.
The prosecution counsel, Sergeant 3379 Bailey, led in prosecution witness number one- Joseph Sorie Bangura, who Sergeant 9071 Bangura J.S, attached to the Criminal Investigation Department- Aberdeen Police Station, recognized the complainant and the accused in the dock.
He recalled that on the 2nd of January, 2025, he was on duty when the matter was assigned to him for investigation, and he obtained a voluntary caution statement from the accused.
Sorie revealed that he cautioned and questioned the accused in Krio and recorded his responses in English; and Sergeant 11094 signed after the accused has admitted his statement to be true. He tendered the said statement marked as “Exhibit A1-4.”
He maintained that on the 13th January 2025, he charged the accused with the offence of larceny as they observed and applied all the procedures used in his caution statement, tendering the said charged statement market as Exhibit B1-2″
Meanwhile, Magistrate Bangura refused bail because the accused is a flight risk and has no fixed abode.
The accused was remanded and sent to the male correctional facility in Freetown.
The case has been adjourned to the 10th February 2025 for the continuation of the trial.
