Magistrate Isata Sellu Tucker has committed two separate cases of alleged motorcycle theft to the High Court for trial, following committal proceedings held at the Magistrate Court on Wednesday, May 21, 2025.
In the first case, 21-year-old Keifalla Kanu was charged with one count of fraudulent conversion, contrary to Section 20(1)(iv) of the Larceny Act of 1916. Police allege that on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at Kaningo Malama, Lumley in Freetown, Kanu fraudulently converted a black Bajaj motorbike (registration number AXB 040) valued at NLe 27,000. The motorbike had reportedly been entrusted to him by Mohamed Koroma for commercial use.
In her committal ruling, Magistrate Tucker stated that, having reviewed the testimonies of both factual and formal witnesses, as well as the statement made by the accused to the police, she was satisfied that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to proceed to trial.
The accused, who has been in custody since the matter commenced and has appeared in court 23 times, was granted bail in the sum of NLe 10,000 with one surety in like sum. The surety must be a senior citizen residing in Freetown, and must present valid identification and proof of address. Bail must be approved by the Deputy Assistant Registrar (DAR). Kanu had no legal representation in court.
In a separate but similar matter, Magistrate Tucker also committed Mohamed Alpha to the High Court to face trial for fraudulent conversion involving another motorcycle. Alpha is accused of unlawfully converting a TVS motorbike (registration number AWR 096) valued at NLe 24,000, which was the property of Josely Abdul Rahman Bangura. The alleged offence occurred between January 1 and 31, 2025, at No. 21 Regent Road, Lumley.
Despite initial concerns about the sufficiency of the evidence, Magistrate Tucker noted that the case presented by the prosecution was ultimately “not just sufficient but overwhelming.” Alpha was also granted bail in the sum of NLe 10,000, subject to approval by the DAR.
Both cases are now set to proceed to trial at the High Court in Freetown.
By Feima Sesay
