Osman Sesay, a painter and Idrissa Conteh a businessman, made another appearance before Magistrate John Manso Fornah of Pademba Road Court No.2 in Freetown on three count charges to wit conspiracy to commit a felony contrary to law, store breaking and larceny contrary to section 26 (1) of the Larceny Act of 1916 and receiving stolen goods contrary to section 33 (1) of the Larceny Act of 1916.

According to the particulars of offence on diverse dates between 3rd August and 21st December, 2024 at Faith Healing Bible Church’s construction site Congo Town branch in the western area of Freetown, conspired together and with other persons unknown to commit a felony to wit store breaking and larceny.

Count two further stated that on the above date and place, the first accused person broke and entered into the store of Faith Healing Bible Church with intent to steal therein one set Yamaha Speaker, single EV speaker, three mixers, generator cable and other assorted items equivalent to the total value of two hundred and thirty one thousand three hundred Leones (231,300) property of Faith Healing Bible Church.

In count three, on the above date and place the second accused person did receive one speaker valued nine thousand Leones (9000) knowing same to have been stolen.

When the charge was read and explained to the accused persons, no plea taken.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Sorie Conteh led in Prosecution witness number four DPC 13878 Paul Blango attached to the breaking and larceny unit at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters. He recognized the complainant and the accused persons in the matter. He recalled on the 4th September 2025 he was on duty at the said office when a case of store breaking and larceny was reported which was assigned to him for investigation and a team of detective police officers headed by Inspector Hassan Dumbuya visited the crime scene at Congo Town. The witness said at the crime scene they discovered some breakage at and crime officer took snapshots of the scene and they returned to the office and obtained statements from the complainant and witnesses.

he said on 6th January , 2025 the complainant brought the first accused to them himself and together with Inspector Dumbuya and DPC 18468 Kamara A.D obtained voluntary caution statement from the accused person in Krio language which was recorded in English language and at the conclusion of the statement it was read over and explained to the accused person in Krio which he admitted it to be true and correct by affixing his right hand thumbprint witnessed by Inspector Hassan Dumbuya and he signed as the recorder the voluntary caution statement from the first accused was produced and tendered in the court to form part of the court records marked as A1-7

On 14th January 2025, DPC 18468 and Inspector Hassan Dumbuya charged the first accused with the above offence by using the same procedure as in his voluntary caution statement which was produced and tendered in court to form part of the court records marked as exhibit B1-3.

On 24th December, 2024 the said investigator obtained voluntary caution statement from the second accused by using the same procedure as in the statement of the first accused the statement of the second accused and was produce and tendered in court to form part of the court records marked as exhibit C1-15

On 30th December, 2024 additional caution statement was obtained from the second accused using the same procedure as in his previous statement as addition statement which was produced and tendered in court to form part of the court records marked as exhibit D1-7 and E1-7

the witness further told the court that on 31st December, 2024 himself together with the said investigator, obtained charged statement from the second accused with the offence he is standing trial by using the same procedure as in the voluntary caution statement the and the charge statement was produced and tendered in the court to form part of the court’s records marked as exhibit F1-3. During the cause of the investigation, the witness added, a huge speaker box was retrieved from the second accused and that he can identify the said speaker if seen.

The witness was cross examined by A.B Marrah

Meanwhile, Magistrate Fornah adjourned the matter to the 27th June, 2025 bail continue for the second accused whilst the first accused person was sent to the male correctional facility in Freetown.