By SKS
On Monday, June 23, 2025, three men appeared before Magistrate Augustine Brima Samura at Pademba Road Court No. 8 in Freetown in connection with a store-breaking and theft incident at LEOCEM Cement.
Anthony Kamara, 20, a carpenter; Alusine Sesay, 25, a laborer; and Josephus Mansaray, 25, also a laborer, faced two counts: conspiracy contrary to law and store-breaking contrary to section 26(1) of the Larceny Act 1916.
According to the particulars of the offence, on May 27, 2025, at LEOCEM CEMENT’s Bett Street factory in Kainkaya, Cline Town, the accused allegedly conspired with unknown persons to commit a crime.
The charges state that on the same day, they broke into the LEOCEM lubricant store and stole 208 liters of CLP Oil, 180 liters of EP2 Oil, and 208 liters of 15W40 oil, valued at Le 62,798, property of LEOCEM Cement.
When the charges were read, the accused did not enter a plea.
Detective Police Constable 14898 Joseph Lamin Dumbuya, the prosecution’s third witness, recognized the accused and the complainant. He recounted that on May 27, 2025, he was on duty when the complainant reported the store-breaking incident and the arrest of the suspects.
He, along with Sergeant 4605 Kandeh B.M. and the scene of crime officer, visited the scene where they observed the store had been broken through the roof.
The scene of crime officer collected photographs and seized several items, including four Jerry cans of engine oil, two plastic buckets of grease, a rope of mixed colors, a white sandal, and a white aluminum ladder, which were marked as exhibits.
On the same day, the police obtained voluntary caution statements from the accused in Krio language, which they admitted were true after reading and explaining the contents.
The statements were signed with their thumbprints and tendered as evidence in court.
Subsequently, on June 1, 2025, the prosecution obtained formal charge statements from the accused, also signed and witnessed, which became part of the court records.
Defense Counsel S.L Lewis renewed and adopted previous bail applications on behalf of the accused, arguing for their release. However, Magistrate Samura refused bail, citing the seriousness of the offences.
The accused were remanded to the Male Correctional Facility in Freetown, and the case adjourned to June 25, 2025, for cross-examination.
