In a recent development, a 60-year-old security guard, identified as Momodu Bah, has been apprehended by Detective Police Constable 17845 Koroma M on charges of breaking into a prominent Foreign Exchange Bureau in Calaba Town, Freetown.

The accused was presented before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Ross Road Court No. 1 to face allegations of housebreaking and larceny, which is in violation of the law.

The incident, which occurred on Monday, 29th May 2023 at K-Step Calaba Town, involved the theft of a substantial sum amounting to one hundred and fifty-two thousand, four hundred leones (NLe152,400) from the complainant’s Foreign Exchange Bureau. The accused allegedly broke into the office, causing damage to the door, and proceeded to steal valuable items, including television sets and laptops.

During the court hearing, Mason Amara Musa, the prosecution witness (PW) 2, residing in Orugu Allen Town, Freetown, testified that he knew the complainant, Rahim Mohamed, as his boss, and recognized the accused as a security guard who was employed by the complainant. Musa recalled the morning of 29th May 2023 when he was informed by the complainant’s wife about the theft that had occurred at their office.

Upon receiving the information, Musa rushed to the crime scene and discovered the accused present. When questioned about the incident, the accused claimed that he had been asleep at 3 am. The crime scene revealed signs of forced entry, with the door damaged and the office in disarray. Valuable items, including television sets and laptops, were reported missing.

Following the initial investigation, the complainant and a team of police officers visited the accused’s alleged residence in the K-Step area, only to find that he had not been living there for the past two years, according to an elderly woman at the location. The accused then led them to another residence in Yams Farm, but his wife, whose name was not disclosed, stated that she hadn’t seen him in three months.

In light of the seriousness of the allegations and the uncertainty surrounding the accused’s fixed abode, Magistrate Sahr Kekura denied bail based on an application made by the defense counsel, Solomon Maada Gbongboto.