By Mamajah Jalloh
A 21-year-old caretaker, Sylvester Morovia, on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, appeared before Magistrate John Manso Fornah of Pademba Road Court No. 2 on two counts of store breaking and larceny, contrary to Sections 26(1) and 2 of the Larceny Act of 1916.
Court documents allege that on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at Thompson Bay, off Wilkinson Road in Freetown, Morovia broke into the store of Jerminatu Sallamatu Fabai and stole two air conditioners valued at NLe 14,000 and two vehicle batteries valued at NLe 4,400 — bringing the total to NLe 18,400.
In a separate count, he is accused of stealing an additional vehicle battery worth NLe 2,200 from a vehicle with registration number ASP 809, also belonging to Fabai.
When the charges were read, the accused offered no plea.
Lead prosecutor, Detective Inspector 18235 Thoronka K., called the complainant, Jerminatu Sallamatu Fabai, as the first prosecution witness. Fabai, a student of IMPAT College, told the court she recognized the accused as her cousin and recalled events between July 23 and 26, 2025.
According to her testimony, her uncle, Tejan Saidu, requested the vehicle key, which she could not find in its usual place. She contacted Morovia — who also had access to the store — but he denied knowledge of the key. She said she eventually handed her uncle the spare key, only for him to discover the vehicle battery missing.
Fabai told the court that a search of the accused’s room led to the discovery of the missing vehicle key. She then checked another store belonging to her mother and found that two air conditioners were gone. An uncle, Mr. Sankoh, allegedly told her he saw Morovia attempting to sell the units.
The matter was reported to Congo Cross Police Station, leading to the accused’s arrest. Fabai’s written statement was admitted into evidence as Exhibit A1–5.
Morovia, who is not legally represented, cross-examined the witness himself.
Magistrate Fornah denied bail and remanded Morovia to the Male Correctional Centre in Freetown. The case was adjourned to August 20, 2025, for further proceedings.
