A 19-year-old mason, Saio Dauda, has made another court appearance before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown over allegations of stealing charcoal.

Dauda is arraigned on a charge of larceny, contrary to Section 2 of the Larceny Act 1916.

According to the particulars of the offence, the incident allegedly occurred on Friday, 20th February 2026, at Dorcathy off Wilkinson Road in the Western Area of Freetown. The accused is alleged to have stolen nine bags of charcoal, with a total value of Le1,250, property of Baindu Konnie.

When the charge was read and explained in court, no plea was taken from the defendant.

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Leading the prosecution, DPC 18235 Kabbie K. Thoronka called the first witness, Baindu Yamie, a businesswoman. In her testimony, she told the court that she knew the accused and recalled transporting charcoal to Freetown late at night on the date in question, but had no immediate storage facility.

She explained that the accused offered her a place to store the charcoal, an offer she accepted. After securing the items, she said the premises were locked, with the accused handing over a key to her while keeping a spare.

However, the witness alleged that the accused later used the spare key to steal the charcoal. She reported the matter to the Congo Cross Police Station after receiving information from a neighbour, identified as Amie, who claimed to have seen the accused transporting the bags of charcoal.

Yamie further stated that she made a formal statement to the police along with her witness. She was subsequently cross-examined by the defendant.