Detective Testifies In NLe146,000 Ministry Of Finance Theft Trial

The court has heard testimony from a key prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of 23-year-old Alpha Umaru Newland, who is on remand over allegations of stealing and maliciously damaging property belonging to the Ministry of Finance valued at NLe146,000.

The witness, Titus Musa, a detective attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, told the court that he was assigned to investigate the matter after receiving a report from the Senior Generator Technician at the Ministry of Finance.

Musa testified that on March 24, 2026, he obtained statements from several officers connected to the case, including Inspector Idriss, Sergeant Fanna, Ahmed, Leslie Kenu, Abduloi Jalloh, Lamin Kargbo and Aminata Jalloh.

The detective also explained that he interviewed Newland, who responded in Krio. Musa said he recorded the accused’s responses in English, subsequently read the statement back to him and explained its contents in Krio.

According to the witness, Newland confirmed that the statement was true and correct by affixing his right thumbprint. The statements were subsequently admitted into evidence as Exhibits G1 to G5.

The prosecution alleges that on March 23, 2026, at the Ministry of Finance on George Street, Freetown, Newland stole a set of copper cables used for the generator control system, valued at NLe137,000, and two 100-amp batteries valued at NLe9,000, bringing the total value of the alleged stolen property to NLe146,000.

He is also accused of maliciously damaging the copper cables.

The prosecution further told the court that on June 4, 2026, Newland was charged with two counts of larceny and malicious damage. He was subsequently cautioned and questioned again in Krio.

Musa said Newland’s responses were recorded in English, read back to him and explained in Krio before he confirmed their correctness by affixing his right thumbprint.

The subsequent statements were admitted into evidence as Exhibits H1 to H3 and were signed by the witness and the officers involved.

During cross-examination, defence counsel had no questions for Musa.

The court has adjourned the matter to September 9, 2026, for the testimony of the next prosecution witness, PW3.

Newland remains on remand as the prosecution continues to present its case.