Ten Men Remanded Over Alleged Shipping Container Theft

Ten Men Remanded Over Alleged Shipping Container Theft

Ten men have been remanded to the Freetown male correctional facility following their appearance at Pademba Road Court No. 1, where they face charges related to the alleged theft of a shipping container at Queen Elizabeth II Quay.

The defendants—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 accused of involvement in a sophisticated operation to remove detained cargo.

The prosecution alleges that between 1 and 22 May 2026, the group conspired to steal a shipping container (serial number TLLU 2297785) and its contents, which were under the control of the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA) as part of an active police investigation. The ten defendants face five counts, including conspiracy to commit larceny, larceny, forgery, uttering forged documents, and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

Prosecutors further allege that on 15 May, the ninth defendant, Chernor Amadu Sesay, forged a staff identity card from the Akim and Satu Clearing and Forwarding Agency to facilitate the removal of the container.

No plea was taken, as the matter is proceeding by way of committal. Despite applications for bail by defense counsel Brima Koroma, Maddieu Sesay, and Jessica M. Jengo—who argued that their clients were local residents with reliable sureties—Principal Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah denied the request, citing the gravity of the charges.

State Prosecutor Yusuf Isaac Sesay requested a short adjournment to finalize case files. The matter is set to return to court on 21 July 2026.