Young Man Sent to High Court Over Alleged Break-In, Theft at NASSIT Office in Port Loko

A young man, Lamin Bangura, was on Monday, 16 February 2026, reportedly committed to the High Court for further trial on charges of store breaking and larceny, following an alleged break-in at the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) office in Port Loko.

Bangura, who was remanded at the Port Loko Correctional Centre, is expected to make his next court appearance on 20 April 2026.

The charges were brought under the Larceny Act of 1916, with the prosecution, led by Inspector A.Y. Turay, presenting evidence from several police witnesses during the preliminary hearing.

The investigation stemmed from a complaint filed by Sorriba Alpha Kamara, a resident of Upper Kambia Road in Port Loko, who reported the incident on Monday, 27 October 2025. Kamara alleged that a break-in and theft had occurred at the NASSIT office.

According to Police Investigator Mohamed Quit Bangura, who testified before the court, he and his team responded promptly to the scene.

The officers took photographs of the office, and later obtained statements from the complainant, the accused, and other witnesses. The statements were subsequently tendered in court as part of the evidence.

Senior Crime Officer Abdulai Sesay, also attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Port Loko, further confirmed that the NASSIT office had been the victim of a break-in.

Sesay testified that he took photographs of the crime scene with an Itel Awesome 70 mobile phone, developed the images, and presented them in court as exhibits.

In addition, Inspector Sam Foday Bangura, who serves as the Exhibit Clerk at the Prosecution Office, testified that on 19 January 2026, a man identified as Bangura M.K. brought fifteen empty paint buckets believed to be part of the stolen items. These items were recorded in the court’s exhibit register and later submitted as evidence in the trial.

Following the submission of the evidence by the prosecution, Magistrate K.S. Tarawallie ruled that a prima facie case of store breaking and larceny had been established against the accused.

Consequently, Lamin Bangura was committed to stand trial at the High Court. He remains in custody at the Port Loko Correctional Centre, awaiting the next stage of the proceedings.

The case continues to develop, and further legal actions will unfold as the matter moves forward to the High Court for full trial.