By Janet A. Sesay
Three accused persons who identified themselves as Abubakarr Turay, Fatmata Bangura and their daughter, Kadiatu Turay on Wednesday, 23rd April, 2025 made another appearance before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of the Freetown Magistrate Court No.1 for allegedly stealing USD 7,000 (Seven Thousand United States Dollars) while working as caretakers at the apartment of Sierra Leone’s football star, Kei Kamara.
The accused are facing two count charges of conspiracy to commit a crime and larceny in violation of the Larceny Act of 1916.
Police alleged that the theft took place on January 15, 2025, at Fadika Drive, Hill Station in Freetown.
The Prosecution claims that the three conspired to steal Seven Thousand United States Dollars (USD 7,000) equivalent to One Hundred and Seventy Thousand, One Hundred New Leones (NLe 170,100) belonging to Kei Kamara.
When the charges were read in court, the first accused, Abubakarr Turay pleaded not guilty to the offences while Fatmata Bangura and Kadiatu Turay invariably admitted to the offences.
In her evidence in chief, the witness, Police Constable 14010
Fonneh Kargbo testified that she is attached at the Headquarters of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at Pademba Road and went on to recognize the second accused, Fatmata Bangura and her daughter. Kadiatu Turay as well as the Complainant, Kei Kamara.
Constable Kargbo recalled Wednesday, 16 January, 2025, that on the said day at 15:00 hours she was on duty at the station when the complainant, Kei Kamara made a report of a theft case against Fatmata Bangura and Kadiatu Turay and the matter was allocated to her for investigation.
She added that on the same day, she and team of investigators boarded a vehicle with registration number SLP 217 and went to the crime scene at Fadika Drive at Hill Station, in Freetown.
She explained that on arrival at the scene of crime, the Complainant, Kei Kamara identified the second accused, Fatmata Bangura and she was arrested, after the allegation was put to her, which she denied.
Constable Kargbo furthered that on the same day, they executed a search warrant at the premises of the second accused, Fatmata Bangura and during the search, the discovered Eleven Thousand, One Hundred and Fifty Thousand New Leones in the premise searched.
It was at this juncture of Corporal Kargbo’s testimony that Magistrate Kekura sought for an adjournment because he noticed some inconsistencies in the testimony of the witness.
The accused however remain on bail and the matter was adjourned to 6th May, 2025 for continuation of the Police Constable’s testimony.