Three Men Charged with Store-Breaking and Theft at LEOCEM Cement Appear in Court

Three men appeared before Magistrate Augustine Brima Samura at Pademba Road Court No. 8 in Freetown on Monday, June 23, 2025, in connection with a store-breaking and theft incident at LEOCEM Cement.

Anthony Kamara, 20, a carpenter; Alusine Sesay, 25, a laborer; and Josephus Mansaray, 25, also a laborer, were charged with conspiracy and store-breaking, contrary to section 26(1) of the Larceny Act 1916.

According to the particulars of the offence, on May 27, 2025, at LEOCEM CEMENT’s Bett Street factory in Kainkaya, Cline Town, the accused allegedly conspired with unknown persons to break into a store. On the same day, they broke into the LEOCEM lubricant store and stole 208 liters of CLP Oil, 180 liters of EP2 Oil, and 208 liters of 15W40 oil, valued at Le 62,798, all property of LEOCEM Cement.

The accused did not enter a plea when the charges were read.

Detective Police Constable 14898 Joseph Lamin Dumbuya, the prosecution’s third witness, identified the accused and the complainant. He testified that on May 27, 2025, while on duty, the complainant reported the store-breaking and the arrest of the suspects. He, along with Sergeant 4605 Kandeh B.M. and the crime officer, visited the scene. They observed that the store had been broken into through the roof. The scene officer collected photographs and seized several items, including four Jerry cans of engine oil, two plastic buckets of grease, a rope of mixed colors, a white sandal, and a white aluminum ladder, which were marked as exhibits.

On the same day, the police obtained voluntary caution statements from the accused in Krio, which they admitted were true after reading and explaining the contents. The statements, signed with their thumbprints, were tendered as evidence in court. Subsequently, on June 1, 2025, the prosecution obtained formal charge statements from the accused, also signed and witnessed, which became part of the court records.

Defense Counsel S.L Lewis renewed and adopted previous bail applications on behalf of the accused, arguing for their release. However, Magistrate Samura refused bail, citing the seriousness of the offences. The accused were remanded to the Male Correctional Facility in Freetown. The case was adjourned to June 25, 2025, for cross-examination.