House Help on Remand for Theft

By Feima Sesay

Abubakarr Conteh a house help was on Thursday  17 August 2023 sent to prison by Magistrate of the Freetown Magistrate Court no 1 Magistrate Mark Ngeba for alledgely stealing over twenty four thousand Leones from his boss Nabillahi Kamara

The accused was arraigned before the court on a count charge of larceny in dwelling house contrary to section 13(1) of the larceny act of 1916. The police alleged that, the accused on Wednesday 9 August 2023 at PWD quarter in Freetown, stole the sum of twenty-four thousand, three hundred and thirty new Leones (NLe 24,330) property of Nabillahi Musa Kamara.

After the charges were read and explain to the accused in court, he pleaded not guilty to the offense. The witness Nabillahi Musa Kamara led in evidence by ASP Ibrahim Mansaray, said he is a public servant and recognized the accused as his house help who has been working for him since 2022.

The witness said he kept the sum of twenty-four thousand, three hundred and thirty new Leones in an envelope inside one of his bag and he usually checks the money every day.

He said on the 9 August 2023 in the afternoon hours, he was at home and he decided to check for the money in his bag but unfortunately could not find it.

He further that he raised alarm about the theft and his younger sister Kadija Kamara told him that she heard his room door closed and when she checked she was surprised to see the accused coming out of the room.

He said when the alarm was raised the accused went out and later return to the house.

He said upon the accused return he asked him about the money but at first denied and later admitted that he took the money.

The witness said he then asked the accused to return the money but told him that he gave the money to one Mohamed who lives at mountain Cut

He said he then took the accused to the CID headquarters and he made a report and later made statement to the police.

He said the accused at the police station was asked by the police to show where Mohamed was but he refused. The accused was unrepresented in court and so he cross examined the witness by himself. He was remanded in custody until 24 August 2023.