Mason Remanded Over Alleged Theft of Phones Worth Le9,000

A 31-year-old mason, Santigie Sesay, has been remanded in prison after appearing before Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown on allegations of breaking into a dwelling house and stealing mobile devices valued at Le9,000.

Sesay was arraigned on Monday, 4 May 2026, before Magistrate John Manso Fornah on one count of larceny in a dwelling house, contrary to Section 13(a) of the Larceny Act of 1916.

According to the particulars of the offence, the accused allegedly committed the act on 7 November 2025 at Upper George Brook, Dwarzark Farm, Mountain Rural District, Freetown.

The prosecution alleged that Sesay broke into the dwelling house of Mariama Bangura with intent to steal.

He is further accused of stealing a blue Samsung A-13 mobile phone valued at Le3,500 and a white Apple iPad valued at Le5,500, bringing the total value of the items to Le9,000. The items were said to be the property of Mariama Bangura.

When the charge was read and explained to him in court, Sesay pleaded not guilty.

The prosecution called Mariama Bangura as its first witness. In her testimony, she identified the defendant and told the court that on the evening of 7 November 2025, she returned home and, acting on her grandmother’s instruction, attempted to retrieve her stolen phones. She later realized that both devices were missing.

Following the testimony, the prosecution applied for a short adjournment.

Magistrate Fornah denied bail, citing the seriousness of the offence, and ordered that the defendant be remanded in custody pending further proceedings.

The matter was adjourned to 7 May 2026.