By Janet A Sesay
Thirty-nine-year-old Mendayga Salia, a police officer and civil servant, has been remanded at the Male Correctional Facility in Freetown after appearing before Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah of Pademba Road Court No. 1 on an allegation of embezzlement.
Salia is facing one count of Embezzlement, contrary to Section 17(2)(b) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the particulars of the offence, on a date unknown between July 1 and September 28, 2026, in Freetown, the accused, being employed by the Inspector General of Police, allegedly fraudulently embezzled Le104,200 and US$900, said to be equivalent to Le22,140, bringing the total value to Le126,340, property of the Sierra Leone Police.
When the charge was read and explained to Salia, no plea was taken, as the matter is before the court as a committal proceeding.
The prosecution, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police Dellia Wellington, informed the court that a copy of the case and inquiry file had been served on defence counsel.
Defence counsel, M.A. Turay Esq., applied for bail on behalf of the accused. Counsel argued that Salia is a Sierra Leonean resident within the jurisdiction of the court and would not abscond if granted bail.
Counsel made the application pursuant to Section 76(1)(c) of the Criminal Procedure Act 2024.
However, Magistrate Jah refused the bail application, citing the seriousness of the alleged offence.
The matter was subsequently adjourned to October 13, 2026.