On Wednesday, May 17, 2023, Edward Borsordau Smith appeared before the High Court in Freetown, facing charges on two counts. The charges were related to conspiracy to commit housebreaking and larceny, as stated in section 26 (1) of the Larceny Act of 1916.

Count one involved Edward Borsordau Smith conspiring with unknown individuals on various days between July 21, 2022, and July 23, 2022, in Freetown, Sierra Leone’s Western Area, to commit housebreaking and larceny.

Count two specified that on July 22, 2022, in Freetown, Sierra Leone’s Western Area, the accused broke into the dwelling house of Anthony Sullay Lahai. The stolen items included an HP Laptop Computer valued at 5,000 Leones (NLE), a Techno Mobile Phone valued at 3,400 Leones (NLE), a Bluetooth Speaker valued at 250 Leones (NLE), a black leather wristwatch valued at 350 Leones (NLE), a Conveyance, and the sum of 1,500 Leones (NLE). The total value of the stolen items amounted to 10,500 Leones (NLE), all belonging to Anthony Sullay Lahai.

During the court session, the accused claimed ignorance of the offense and explained that he had been arrested by the police for a separate offense at the Fourah Bay College Hostel. He identified himself as a taxi driver with no involvement in the crimes.

Defense Counsel Ibrahim Samba appealed to the judge for leniency, requesting mercy on behalf of Edward Borsordau Smith.

Without further delay, Justice Ivan Ansumana Sesay sentenced Edward Borsordau Smith to seven years of imprisonment.

In another case, Edward Borsordau Smith committed a similar offense on July 22, 2022, in Freetown, Sierra Leone’s Western Area. He broke into the dwelling house of Daniel Jeffry Jeremy Sarma, stealing various items including a plasma television valued at 3,500 Leones (NLE), a standing fan valued at 750 Leones (NLE), a mattress valued at 2,800 Leones (NLE), a Bluetooth device valued at 220 Leones (NLE), a Canon 18 Tecno mobile phone valued at 2,600 Leones (NLE), eight sets of Lacoste t-shirts valued at 1,200 Leones (NLE), four khaki trousers valued at 750 Leones (NLE), four pairs of black shoes valued at 1,000 Leones (NLE), three pairs of brown shoes valued at 750 Leones (NLE), eleven bottles of assorted perfume valued at 1,650 Leones (NLE), a pen tab Quran valued at 550 Leones (NLE), and 2,500 Leones (NLE) in cash. The total value of the stolen items amounted to 8,270 Leones (NLE), all belonging to Daniel Jeffry Jeremy Sarma.

The presiding judge, Justice Ivan Ansumana Sesay, rendered a verdict on both cases, sentencing Edward Borsordau Smith to seven years of imprisonment.