Twenty-year old Anthony Kamara a carpenter, twenty-five year old Alusine Sesay, a labourer and twenty-five year old Josephus Mansaray another labourer made their first appearance before Magistrate Augustine Brima Samura of Pademba Road Court No.8 in Freetown on two count charges to wit conspiracy contrary to law and store breaking contrary to section 26 (1) of the Larceny Act of 1916.

According to the particulars of offence, on 27th May 2025 at LEOCEM CEMENT factory at Betts Street Kanikay, Cline Town in the western area of Freetown conspired together and with other persons unknown to commit a crime to wit store breaking and larceny.

In count two, the accused, on the same date and place, with intent to steal broke and entered into the LEOCEM CEMENT factory lubricant store at Betts Street Kanikay, Cline Town and stole therein two hundred and eight liters of CLP Oil, one hundred and eighty liters of EP2 Oil and two hundred and eight liters of 15W40 all to the total value of sixty two thousand seven hundred and ninety eight leones (62,798,00) property of LEOCEM CEMENT factory.

When the charges were read and explained to the accused person, no plea was taken.

Detective Police Constable 14898 Joseph Lamin Dumbuya, lead prosecution witness number three, DCP 11213 Mohamed Kandeh attached to the Criminal Investigations Department Ross Road Police Station Harbour Division in Freetown recognised the accused persons and the complainant in the matter. He recalled on 27th May 2025 on the above date, he was on duty when the complainant arrested and brought the accused persons and made a report of store breaking and larceny. He said the file was allocated to him for investigation and on the same date, himself together with Sergeant 4605 Kandeh B.M and the scene of crime officer went to crime scene where he observed that the store was broken through the roof and the scene of crime officer took snapshots of the scene in his presence where they met four Jerry cans of engine oil, two plastic bucket grease, one rope of mixed colours, one white sandal and one white aluminum ladder which was treated as exhibit in the matter and was handed over to exhibit clerk for safekeeping. The witness said on the same date 27th May 2025 himself together with Sergeant 4606 Kandeh B.M obtained voluntary caution statements from the accused persons in Krio language separately and at the conclusion of the statement it was read over and explained to the accused persons separately which they admitted it to be true and correct by affixing their right hand thumbprints separately witnessed by the said investigator and he signed as the recorder. The statements were produced and tendered in the court to form part of the court records.

On 1st June 2025, the witness added that he obtained charged statements from the accused persons separately with the offences they are standing trial for by using the same procedure as in their voluntary caution statements witnessed by the said investigator and he signed as the recorder. The charge statements were produced and tendered in court to form part of the court records.

The defense counsel S.L Lewis renewed and adopted his previous bail applications on behalf of the accused.

Meanwhile, Magistrate Samura refused bail based on the seriousness of the offence charged and sent the accused persons to the male correctional facility in Freetown and matter adjourned to 25th June 2025 for cross examination.