By Feima Sesay
Twenty years old Julius Aruna Mongoh a scrap metal dealer was on Thursday 6th February 2025 sent to prison by Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Pademba Road court No.1 for allegedly stealing 4 Air conditioners from the government printing department.
The accused made his first appearance and was arraigned on two count charges ‘’to wit malicious damage contrary to section 51 of the malicious damage Act 1861 and larceny contrary to section 2 of the larceny Act of 1916.’’
According the Court, ‘’on Saturday 1st February 2025 at the Government Printing Department New England Ville in the western area of the Republic of Sierra Leone malicious damage four Air conditioners value thirty thousand Leones each all to the total value of one hundred and twenty thousand Leones (120,000) property of the government printing department New England Ville Freetown.’’
The Court further said that the accused on the same date and place, stole four air conditioners valued at Thirty thousand Leones each ; all to the total value of One hundred and twenty thousand Leones (120,000) property of the government printing department New England Ville Freetown .
When the charges were read and explained to the accused person, he pleaded not guilty
The first prosecution witness number one Amara Bangura, led in evidence by Inspector Kadie Taylor said he is a security guard of Modern security agency attached to the government printing department.
He said he knew the accused in respect of this matter and recalled on the 1st February 2025, adding that while on duty at the government printing department at around 1am, he decided to move around the compound.
During the process, he said he observed that one Air conditioner which they were repairing has got missing and so he decided to climb the retaining wall he met the accused have already dismantled the air conditioner and placed them in a rice bag.
At this juncture, the Prosecutor sought for and adjournment for her to get proper conference with at the other witness.
Magistrate Kekura refused bail and sent the accused person to the male correctional facility in Freetown while the matter was adjourned to the 14th February 2025.
