Three Africell Mobile Company employees Engineer Mamoud Kamara, Alie Barrie, and Amara Sesay, are facing legal action for their alleged involvement in a major theft involving equipment from the Sierra Leone Telecommunication Company.

The total estimated value of the stolen assets is over three billion leones.On August 27, 2024, the defendants appeared before Magistrate Sahr Kekura at the Pademba Road Magistrate Court in Freetown.

They are charged with conspiracy and larceny, with the indictment alleging that the theft occurred on July 3, 2024, in Komrabai Village, Lokomasama, Loko District.

The prosecution asserts that the stolen items include a B15 3606 CDMA 3/2 site, six Aviat Eclipse IGbps microwave links, a DC rectifier cabinet, twelve deep cycle VLAR Gel batteries, among other equipment, collectively valued at Le3,973,170,000.

During the court proceedings, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Dalia Wellington, representing the prosecution, informed the court that the complainant was abroad and thus unable to attend. ASP Wellington requested an adjournment to allow for the complainant’s return.

Defense counsel, Maddieu Sesay, argued for bail, asserting that the case must progress swiftly and that the accused are entitled to bail to ensure their appearance at future court dates. Sesay noted that the defendants have already spent 27 days in custody, including at the Criminal Investigation Department headquarters, and have reliable sureties.

Magistrate Kekura denied the bail application due to the serious nature of the charges and urged the prosecution to expedite the case. He indicated that the trial would continue even if the complainant is absent at the next hearing.The case is scheduled to resume on September 3, 2024.