By Fatima Kpaka
Freetown, Sierra Leone (24 February 2025) – Police Sergeant 9715 August Robert has tendered the statement of Mohamed Kargbo before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Pademba Road Court No. 2. Kargbo is accused of stealing over NLe 55,000 from the Royal Ark Foreign Exchange Bureau.
Mohamed Kargbo, a 27-year-old student and farmer, faces a charge of larceny contrary to Section 2 of the Larceny Act 1916. According to the police charge sheet, on Monday, September 13, 2024, at the Royal Town in Freetown’s western area, Kargbo allegedly stole Le 53,000.00 and a Techno Spark 20 mobile phone valued at Le 2,700.00, totaling Le 55,700.00, property of the Royal Ark Foreign Exchange Bureau while in the custody of Philip Bockarie Kamara.
When the charge was read to the accused, he pleaded not guilty.
Sergeant Augustine Robert Lansana, attached to the Major Incident Unit at CID headquarters Pademba Road, recalled that on September 14, 2024, the complainant reported a case of larceny and brought Philip Bockarie Kamara as the suspect. The case was assigned to Lansana for investigation.
Lansana revealed that on September 15, 2024, a relative of Philip Bockarie Kamara brought the accused to him with one of the stolen items, a black Techno Spark 20 phone. On September 16, 2024, Lansana collected the accused and the phone from Adonkia Police Station and brought them to the CID headquarters.
Philip Bockarie Kamara identified the mobile phone as the stolen property, which was then handed over to the Exhibit Clerk. DCP 11692 John P obtained a voluntary statement from the accused in Krio, which he recorded in English. Lansana read and explained the statement in Krio, and the accused confirmed it as true and correct, signing it with his right-hand thumbprint. The statement was tendered as “Exhibit A1-11.”
The witness further stated that the complainant and Detective Police Sergeant 9007 visited the crime scene, where Philip identified a small kiosk with a table under which the sum of Le 51,200.00 was found. The crime scene officer took photos of the location.
On October 14, 2024, Lansana charged the accused with the offense of larceny, and the charge statement was tendered as “Exhibit B1-3.”
Magistrate Bangura adjourned the matter to March 11, 2025, while bail continues for the accused person.