Guard Testifies in Alleged Theft of 48 Government Air Conditioners
A security guard has told Pademba Road Court No. 1 that he saw Abdul Kargbo carrying a carton containing an air conditioner near Lamina Sankoh Street in the early hours of May 26, 2026, which was later identified as property allegedly stolen from the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice building.
The testimony was given during the appearance of Kargbo, 24, and his co-defendant, Mohamed Kamara, also 24, before Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah. Both men face charges of conspiracy, larceny and malicious damage and have been remanded at the Male Correctional Facility in Freetown.
The prosecution alleges that between May 1 and May 27, 2026, the defendants conspired with other persons unknown to steal property from the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice building. The items allegedly stolen include 48 air conditioners, 16 steel doors, 24 double-slide glass windows, three EDSA meters and other assorted property. They are also accused of damaging four wooden doors.
Testifying for the prosecution, security guard Douda Kamara said he recognised Kargbo, whom he knew as a car washer operating around Lamina Sankoh Street.
He told the court that shortly after midnight on May 26, he was on duty with Ernest Fawula and Sergeant 9225 Bangura when they saw Kargbo carrying a carton.
According to the witness, Sergeant Bangura asked Kargbo to open the carton, but he appeared frightened. The guard and the sergeant subsequently opened it and found an air conditioner inside.
The witness said Kargbo initially claimed that he had brought the item from Shallot Street. However, when questioned about whether air conditioners were being sold there at that hour, he allegedly changed his account and said he had bought it along the way.
Kamara further testified that Sergeant Bangura recognised the unit as one of the air conditioners reported missing from the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice building. Kargbo was stopped and later taken to the Central Police Station.
The witness also told the court that he had seen Mohamed Kamara with a door at the building during the same month. He said he lacked the authority to arrest him and reported the matter to the relevant authorities the following day. Mohamed Kamara was later arrested and taken to the Central Police Station.
The air conditioner was subsequently identified in court.
A second prosecution witness, Detective Inspector Issa Kamara of CID Headquarters, testified that on June 16, Detective Police Corporal 101179 Conteh handed him an outdoor air-conditioning unit. He said he recorded the item in the exhibit register under number 120/2026 and kept it in custody.
The unit was tendered in court as Exhibit A.
No pleas were taken when the charges were read and explained, as the case remains at the committal proceedings stage.
The matter was adjourned to October 27, 2026. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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