Four men—Sallieu Bangura, Sheku Sesay, Yayah Conteh, and Mohamed Jalloh—appeared before Magistrate Patrick Fofanah at Pademba Road Court No.1 on Wednesday, 28 May 2025, for allegedly stealing a gold and diamond engagement ring valued at £3,000 (NLe 96,000) from the home of an England-based woman, Elizabeth Lotaya Garber.
The accused are charged with larceny in a dwelling house, contrary to Section 13(a) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the charge sheet, first accused Sallieu Bangura, who worked as a security guard at the complainant’s Wilkinson Road residence, stole the ring on 1 April 2025.
In her testimony, Elizabeth Garber said she was in Cape Verde when her daughter informed her of the missing ring. She called Bangura via WhatsApp, but he denied any knowledge of the theft.
Weeks later, on 27 April, her daughter called again to say Bangura had confessed to stealing the ring and pawning it to second accused Sheku Sesay for NLe 750. Elizabeth told the court the ring was a 37th wedding anniversary gift from her husband, which she had passed on to her daughter as it no longer fit.
Following the confession, she instructed her daughter to report the matter to Congo Cross Police Station.
Defense lawyers applied for bail, but the prosecution, led by ASP Dalia Wellington, objected due to the seriousness of the case. Magistrate Fofanah denied bail and adjourned the matter to 7 June 2025.
By Feima Sesay
