By Fatima Kpaka
Ibrahim Barrie, a student, and Sao Fefegulah,, a farmer were on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, sent to prison by Magistrate Mark Ngegba of Pademba road court No1 for an alleged diamond theft.
The accused were charge with four counts, including conspiracy to commit a felony contrary to law, house breaking and larceny contrary to section 26(1) of The Larceny Act 1916, receiving stolen goods, and fraudulent, all contrary to the laws of Sierra Leone.
According to the indictments on count one, the accused persons sometimes in August 2023, at Baoma Oil Village, Kendu Leppiama Chiefdom in the Kenema district in the Eastern Region, with intent to defraud, conspired with other persons unknown to defraud Alusine Mohamed Conteh four carat and fifteen percent (4.15) diamond valued at Le Nle 477,250.
The police further alleged on counts two that the accused Ibrahim Barrie on Friday, August 25, 2023 at Baoma Village with intent to steal, break and entered into the dwelling house of Moses Brima Conteh and stole therein in 4.15 carat diamond valued at Le 477,250 new Leones, , seventy three percent diamond valued at Le 5,037, and 1.50 carat diamond valued at NLe 21,390, all to the total valued of NLE 511,589, property of Alusine Mohamed Conteh while in the custody of Moses Brima Conteh.
It was further alleged on count three that, the accused Sao Fefegulah sometimes in September 2023, at the same town did received one four carat fifteen percent diamond valued at NLe 477,250 from Ibrahim Barrie knowing same to have been stolen.
Whiles counts four added that, the accused Sao Fefegulah on the same date and place in Kenema district fraudulently converted to his own use and benefit 4.14 carat diamond valued at NLe 477,250 entrusted to him by Ibrahim Barrie for the purpose of sale, property of Alusine Mohamed Conteh
When the charges were read and explained to the accused persons by the court clerk, no plea was taken.
Police Inspector Mabel Tarawally informed the court that her witnesses were absent and therefore could not proceed with the matter in the circumstance requested for an adjournment to subpoena them.
Magistrate Ngegba remanded the accused persons and the matter was adjourned to November 9, 2023.