By Janet A. Sesay
Ten staff members of the Queen Elizabeth II Quay have been remanded to the Male Correctional Centre in Freetown on their first appearance before Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah of Pademba Road Court No. 1 on allegations relating to the theft of a detained shipping container.
The Defendants are: 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.
They are facing five counts of conspiracy to commit larceny, larceny, forgery, uttering a forged document, and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
According to the particulars of the offence, between 1st and 22 May, 2026 at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay at Cline Town in Freetown, the Defendants allegedly conspired with other persons unknown to steal a shipping container bearing the serial number TLLU-2297785 and its entire content. The container was said to have been in the lawful possession and control of the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA) after it had been detained in connection with an ongoing criminal investigation by the Sierra Leone Police.
The Prosecution is also alleging that on 13th May, 2026, the Defendants unlawfully stole the container and its contents with the intention of permanently depriving the SLPHA of its lawful possession and control.
The third count alleges that on 15th May, 2026, the Ninth Defendants, Chernor Amadu Sesay, forged a staff identity card purportedly issued by Akim and Satu Clearing and Forwarding Agency with the intent to facilitate the unlawful removal of the detained container.
He is further accused of knowingly presenting the forged identity card as genuine to deceive officials of the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority, thereby aiding the illegal removal of the container and its contents.
The fifth count alleges that all ten Defendants conspired with others unknown to pervert the course of justice by concealing and suppressing material evidence, tampering with CCTV footage, procuring and using forged documents, and facilitating the unlawful removal of the container, which had been detained as part of an ongoing police investigation.
No pleas were taken after the charges were read because the matter is before the court by way of committal proceedings.
State Prosecutor Yusuf Isaac Sesay Esq. informed the court that he had only just received instructions to handle the matter and requested a short adjournment within 14 days pursuant to Section 112(2) of the Criminal Procedure Act, 2024, noting that copies of the case and inquiry file had already been served on the Defence Counsel.
The Defendants were represented by Brima Koroma Esq., Maddieu Sesay Esq., and Jessica M. Jengo Esq., who separately applied for bail. Defence counsel argued that the accused are Sierra Leonean residents with reliable sureties who are willing to enter into recognizance and that they would not interfere with Prosecution Witnesses. The applications were made under Section 76(1)(c) of the Criminal Procedure Act, 2024, and Section 23(4) of the Bail Regulations, 2018.
Magistrate Jah refused the bail applications, citing the seriousness of the offences, and ordered that all ten accused be remanded at the Male Correctional Center. The matter was adjourned to 24th July, 2026 for further proceedings.