Queen Elizabeth II Quay Container Theft Case: 10 Staff Members Granted Bail

Ten staff members accused of stealing a shipping container and its contents at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay in Cline Town, Freetown, have been granted bail by Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah of Pademba Road Court No. 1.

The accused persons Abu Bakarr Kabba Mansaray, Ibrahim Ahmed Kargbo, Ibrahim Bangura, Benito Conteh, Mohamed Amara Kamara, Alhassan Kamara, Jacob Gbaya, Mohamed Sahr Tommy, Chernor Amadu Sesay, and Abu Mansaray are facing multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit larceny, larceny, forgery, uttering forged documents, and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

According to the prosecution, the alleged offences occurred between May 1 and May 22, 2026, at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay in Cline Town, Freetown, involving a shipping container with serial number TLLU-2297785, which was under the lawful possession of the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA).

The court heard that the container had been detained by authorities in connection with an ongoing criminal investigation by the Sierra Leone Police before it was allegedly removed unlawfully.

Prosecutors alleged that on May 13, 2026, the accused persons, together with other individuals yet to be identified, stole the container and its contents with the intention of permanently depriving the Ports Authority of its possession.

The prosecution further alleged that on May 15, 2026, the ninth accused person forged a staff identity card purportedly issued by Akim and Satu Clearing and Forwarding Agency, which was allegedly used to facilitate the removal of the container.

The ninth accused was also accused of knowingly presenting the forged identification card to officers of the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority to mislead them and enable the alleged unlawful removal of the container.

The charges also state that the accused persons allegedly attempted to pervert the course of justice by tampering with CCTV footage, suppressing evidence, and using forged documents to facilitate the alleged theft.

When the charges were read in court, no plea was taken, as the matter is being handled as a committal proceeding.

Meanwhile, Magistrate Jah granted bail to the first, second, third, fourth, sixth, and ninth accused persons in the sum of Le10,000 each, with two sureties.

The sureties are required to be senior responsible citizens residing in District One of Freetown, with at least one surety producing a title deed as part of the bail conditions.

The bail terms were approved by the Deputy Assistant Registrar, and the matter has been adjourned to August 6, 2026, for further proceedings.