Twenty-one years old Nigerian national Mekel Karim, phone mechanic was remanded by Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court No.2 in Freetown after he made another appearance before the court on Thursday, 26 September, 2024.

Karim is standing trial on a count of alleged shop breaking and larceny contrary to section 26 (1) of the Larceny Act 1916.

According to the chargebsheet, it was alleged that the accused on Friday 16th August 2024 at Lighfoot Boston Street in Freetown, broke and entered into the shop of Alimamy Koroma and stole therein Samsung Galaxy A05, Tecno POP 8 phone, H5627 mobile phone, Galloway perfume and other assorted items equivalent to the total of One Hundred and Forty-Six Thousand Three Hundred and Ten Leone (146,310) property of Alimamy Koroma.

When the charge was read and explained to the accused person no plea was taken.

The led prosecution witness Number Three Sergeant 10037 Sahr Sellu recognized the accused person in the dock as he recalled the 16 August 2024 whilst on duty at the Central Police Station when the complainant arrested and brought in the accused person.

The matter allocated to him for investigation and obtained statements from the complainant and witnesses separately.

On 17th August 2024, himself together with DPC17939 obtained voluntary cautioned statement from the accused person separately in Krio language which was recorded in English language at the conclusion of the statement it was read over and explained to the accused person which he admitted it to be true and correct by afflicting his right hand thumb-print witness by DPC 17939 Kamara I and he signed as the recorder, the said statement was produce and tendered in court to form part of the court records marked as exhibit A1-21.

On the 26 of August 2024 himself together with the said investigator obtained charge statement from the accused person he was charged with the offence of shop breaking and larceny in Krio language which was recorded in English language at the conclusion of the charge statement it was read over and explained to the accused person which he admitted it to be true and correct by afflicting his right hand thumbprint witness by the said investigator and he signed as the recorder the charge statement was produce and tendered in court to form part of the court records marked as exhibit B1-3 he conclude.

The accused person was not legally represented and the witness was cross examined.

Meanwhile Magistrate Bangura refused bail and sent the accused person to the male correctional facility in Freetown and adjoined the matter to 3rd October 2024.