By Mamajah Jalloh
Ten employees have been remanded at the Male Correctional Centre in Freetown after appearing before Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah of Pademba Road Court No. 1 on allegations relating to the theft of a shipping container detained at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay.
The accused 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, including conspiracy to commit larceny, larceny, forgery, uttering a forged document, and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
According to the prosecution, on diverse dates between 1 and 22 May 2026 at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay, Cline Town, Freetown, the accused allegedly conspired with other persons unknown to steal a shipping container bearing serial number TLLU-2297785 and its contents. The container was reportedly in the lawful possession and control of the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA) after being detained in connection with an ongoing criminal investigation by the Sierra Leone Police.
The prosecution further alleged that on 13 May 2026, all ten accused unlawfully removed the container and its contents with the intent to permanently deprive the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority of its lawful possession and control.
The third count alleges that on 15 May 2026, the ninth accused, Chernor Amadu Sesay, with intent to defraud, forged a staff identity card purporting it to have been issued by Akim and Satu Clearing and Forwarding Agency. The prosecution claims the forged identity card was intended to facilitate the unlawful removal of the detained shipping container.
The fourth count alleges that the ninth accused knowingly presented the forged identity card as genuine to deceive officials of the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority, thereby facilitating the unlawful removal of the container and its contents.
The fifth count states that all ten accused conspired with other persons unknown to pervert the course of justice by allegedly concealing and suppressing material evidence, tampering with CCTV footage, procuring and using forged documents, and facilitating the unlawful removal of the detained shipping container.
When the charges were read and explained, no pleas were taken 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 recently been assigned to the matter and had gained access to the case file shortly before the hearing. He therefore applied for a short adjournment, within the period prescribed under Section 112(2) of the Criminal Procedure Act, 2024, noting that copies of the case and inquiry file had already been served on counsel representing the accused.
Defence counsel Brima Koroma, Esq., Maddieu Sesay, Esq., and Jessica M. Jengo, Esq., representing the accused persons, each applied for bail. They submitted that the defendants are Sierra Leonean citizens with fixed places of residence, have credible sureties willing to enter into recognisance on their behalf, and would not interfere with prosecution witnesses if granted bail.
The applications were made pursuant to Section 76(1)(c) of the Criminal Procedure Act, 2024, and the Bail Regulations, 2018.
After hearing both sides, Magistrate Jah refused bail, citing the seriousness of the offences before the court.
The matter was adjourned to 21 July 2026 for further proceedings.
