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Two military officers, Mohamed Buya Fofanah and Idrissa Conteh, have appeared before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at the Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown, facing charges related to the alleged theft of solar batteries and panels from the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) compound in Lungi.
The incident, which occurred on July 16, 2024, has raised concerns about the involvement of security personnel in criminal activities.
The accused officers were arraigned on two counts, including store-breaking and larceny, in violation of Section 26(1) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
Mohamed Buya Fofanah is alleged to have broken into the SLRA store at the Kirma Portloko Road compound in Lungi, Kafu Bullom Chiefdom, North-West Region, and stolen six solar batteries and 34 solar panels, valued at a total of NLe 79,000.
The stolen items were the property of the SLRA, a key public institution responsible for maintaining Sierra Leone’s road infrastructure.
The second count involved the receiving of stolen goods, contrary to Section 33(1) of the Larceny Act. Idrissa Conteh, the second accused, is alleged to have received two of the stolen solar panels, valued at NLe 2,000, from his co-accused, Mohamed Buya Fofanah, knowing them to be stolen.
During the court proceedings, no plea was taken from the first accused, Mohamed Buya Fofanah, as the second accused, Idrissa Conteh, was absent.
In response to his absence, the prosecutor, Detective Police Constable Thoronka K.K., requested a bench warrant for Idrissa Conteh and sought a short adjournment to summon witnesses.
Magistrate Bangura granted the application for the bench warrant and ordered the remand of Mohamed Buya Fofanah at the Male Correctional Centre, pending further investigation and court proceedings. The case has been adjourned to October 10, 2024.
