21-Year-Old Remanded Over Alleged Theft at Defence for Children International Office

Ibrahim Kamara, a 21-year-old unemployed man, has been remanded in custody after appearing before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at the Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown.

Kamara is accused of breaking into the office of Defence for Children International (DCI) at No. 4 Old Railway Line, Tengbeh Town, on Friday, July 5, 2024. He allegedly stole NLe 38,250 belonging to the organization.

According to court documents, Kamara entered the office with the intention to steal. The amount taken also included NLe 1,000 belonging to a staff member.

On Wednesday, Police Prosecutor Sergeant 8811 Florence M. Wilson brought in Hassanatu Mansaray, a Program Officer at DCI, to give her account. Mansaray told the court she was at home when she received a call from the Finance Manager. When she got to the office, she found the bathroom door broken, the office scattered, and footprints in the hallway.

She said she later checked her cupboard and found that some money was missing. The incident was reported to the Congo Cross Police Station.

Kamara, who did not have a lawyer, did not respond to the charges and did not ask the witness any questions. He was not granted bail, as no one came forward to take responsibility for him and the court considered the offence serious.

He will remain at the Male Correctional Centre in Freetown until the case continues on Monday, April 21, 2025.