By: Hassanatu I. Conteh
Three individuals, Abubakarr Turay, his wife Fatmata Bangura and their daughter Kadiatu Turay are standing trial before Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah at the Pademba Road Magistrate Court No. 1 accused of stealing $7,000 Seven Thousand United States Dollars, equivalent to Le 170,100 (One Hundred and Seventy Thousand, One Hundred Leones) from the residence of Sierra Leone Football Star, Kei Kamara.
The trio, who were employed as caretakers at Kamara’s residence at Fadika Drive, Hill Station, Freetown are facing charges of conspiracy and larceny, contrary to the Larceny Act of 1916. According to the charge sheet, the incident occurred on 15th January, 2025.
In court, Abubakarr Turay pleaded not guilty, while his wife and daughter admitted to the offence.
Detective Police Officer, Andrew Nyakeh Amara, attached to the CID Headquarters in Freetown-West, testified that he obtained voluntary cautionary statements from the accused between January 20th and February 2nd, 2025 and that the statements were said in Krio by the accused and recorded in English. He said the statement was later read and explained to the accused who on his satisfaction appended his thumbprints to the statements. Copy of the statement was tendered as an exhibit before the court.
During cross-examination by Defense Counsel, M.Y. Conteh, Detective Amara confirmed that one of the accused denied stealing the alleged USD 7, 000 but admitted being a caretaker for the complainant, Kei Kamara.
The matter, which began as a preliminary investigation under the Larceny Act, remains before the Pademba Road Magistrate Court. It has been adjourned to September 1, 2025, for continuation. Bail for the accused persons continues.