Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah of Pademba Road Magistrate Court No.1, Freetown has remanded 29- years old Umaru Kargbo, Manager of Saboath Construction and General Merchandise Company, after he made his first appearance for allegedly stealing Two hundred and ninety two thousand eight hundred Leones from account number 6010184525 at Zenith bank Sierra Leone limited Rawdon street Freetown on dates between Tuesday 2nd April 2024 and Friday 9th April 2024.
The accused, Kargbo is charge with Larceny by servant contrary to section 17(1) (A) of the Lancency Act 1916. The prosecution, Inspector M.K Taylor, led in prosecuting witness number one Cyril K. Jusu, a civil engineer to testify in court. He recognized the accused person at the dock as his former manager.
He did recall between 2nd April to 29th November 2024 that which transpired between the accused and him. Testifying further in court, he said sometimes in December 2024, he went to Zenith Bank to check the construction company’s account for which the accused was also a signatory to the said account. He said when the accountant showed him the balance of the account, he could not believe his eyes, given the fact that the balance in the said account was not commensurate with what should be there.
Proceeding with his testimony, the witness said that the accountant gave him the account statements, which he tendered in court to and was recorded as exhibit.
At this point, the police prosecutor M.K Taylor requested for a short adjourned date to further prosecute the matter.
I.J Sesay Esq. in a bid to defend the accused person applied for bail for and on behalf of the accused person, stating that the accused is a Sierra Leonean ordinarily resident within this jurisdiction. He went on to say that the charge levied against the accused was a mere allegation pursuant to section 23 of the 1991 Constitution. He added by saying the accused would not interfere with the prosecution witness or witnesses if granted bail. And that the accused is not a flight risk. And that he would always avail himself before the court if bail is granted to him. The defense concluded his bail application by referencing section 79 (2&3) of the Criminal Procedure Act 1965.
Having heard the bail application made by the defense counsel, Magistrate Jah, refused bail and remanded the accused to the Male Correctional Facility due to the seriousness of the offense. The matter was adjourned to 4th July 2025.