18 Kailahun Residents Committed to High Court Over Alleged Arson, Theft and Property Damage

Eighteen residents of Kailahun Town have been committed to the High Court in Kenema to stand trial over allegations including conspiracy, arson, malicious damage, house breaking and larceny, and incitement.

The accused persons Momoh Musa alias Investor, James Ndohboh, Jenneh Senesie, Karim Bockarie, David Alpha, Momoh Kallon, Maada Kpulum, Alhaji Kallon, Samuel Yorpoi, Ibrahim Saidu, Momoh Janga, Jusu Baimba, Momoh Kanneh, Alie Sesay alias Jolojolo, Lamin Nabieu, Amara Morie, Daniel Amara alias DJ, and Amara Sidie were arraigned on 15 July 2026 before Magistrate Hadiru Daboh at Magistrate Court No.1 in Kenema.

The charges were read to the defendants by Court Registrar Brima Tomboyeke, with the 18 accused facing a total of 14 counts ranging from conspiracy to commit a felony, arson, malicious damage, house breaking and larceny, and incitement.

According to court records, the alleged offences occurred on Sunday, 21 June 2026, at Kailahun Town in Luawa Chiefdom, Kailahun District, Eastern Sierra Leone.

The prosecution alleged that the defendants conspired with unknown individuals to commit arson and allegedly set fire to Block 152A, a property belonging to the Government of Sierra Leone and under the custody of the Sierra Leone Police at the Pendembu Road Police Barracks in Kailahun Town.

They were further accused of maliciously damaging Blocks 152A and 152B of the police barracks, as well as breaking into several private residences and stealing properties belonging to residents.

Court documents indicate that items allegedly stolen included properties valued at NLe107,050 belonging to Mohamed Seidena Kanneh, NLe100 belonging to Christian Caulker, NLe50,645 belonging to Sheku Brima, and items valued at NLe389,655 belonging to Fassay George Augustine Benjamin, among others.

The prosecution also alleged that Jenneh Senesie, the only female among the accused persons, incited some of the defendants to commit offences including arson, malicious damage, and house breaking and larceny.

No plea was taken from the accused persons during the proceedings.

In his ruling, Magistrate Hadiru Daboh said after reviewing the evidence before the court and considering that the defendants relied on their statements made at the police station, he had no alternative but to commit them to stand trial at the High Court in Kenema.

The matter was prosecuted by ASP Sulaiman Kamara Esq., while the 18 defendants were remanded at the Sierra Leone Correctional Centre in Kenema pending further proceedings.