Abu Turay, also known as Sogor, a caretaker, Amadu Basco Bangura, a cleaner, and Engine Badu Siah, a driver, at the Lagoonda Complex Hotel made their first appearance before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Pademba Road Court No.1 in Freetown.

The three accused persons are faced with charges of conspiracy to commit a crime and larceny, country to the Larceny Act 1916. The charges stem from alleged incidents between March 1st and 18th, 2024, at Lagoonda Complex Hotel, located at No.80 Cape Road, Aberdeen, in Freetown’s Western Area.

According to the particulars of the offense, it was alleged that the accused persons conspired with others to commit larceny and stole four hundred liters of diesel fuel, valued at twelve thousand Leones, property of the hotel’s management.

Inspector Sellu TAP led the prosecution’s first witness, Savin Suhas, the general manager at Lagoonda Hotel. Suhas recognized the accused as employees and caretakers at the hotel. He recalled interactions with the accused between March 1st and 18th, 2024, relating to the purchase of fuel.

Suhas stated that the first accused was supposed to buy fuel on a Saturday morning but arrived later, around 10 to 11 am. The accused then collected twelve thousand Leones for four hundred liters of fuel and presented a receipt, which Suhas attached to the hotel’s records. The receipt and voucher for the fuel were submitted as evidence in court. Following Suhas’s testimony, the prosecutor requested a short adjournment date. Counsel representing the accused, Ibrahim SY Kamara and Gladis Gbongon Esq, applied for bail on behalf of their clients, presenting reliable sureties willing to vouch for them. They assured the court that the accused were not flight risks and would not interfere with witnesses or jump bail.

However, Magistrate Sahr Kekura denied bail and remanded the accused to the male correctional facility in Freetown. The case was adjourned to April 8th, 2024, for further proceedings.