Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Ross Road Court No.1 has remanded the first to third accused, Ibrahim Kebay, Yusuf Kamara, and Isatu Kamara at the Male and Female Correctional Centres respectively in Freetown for the first and second accused allegedly stealing 200 bags of parboil Indian rice and for the third accused receiving 45 bags of the same valued at one hundred and twenty-seven thousand new leones (NLe127,000).

The accused were arrested on 11th July 2023 by Detective Police Constable (DPC) 12144 Jalloh and arraigned before the court for the offenses of conspiracy contrary to law, larceny, and receiving stolen goods contrary to law.

It was alleged by Inspector General of Police (IGP) that Ibrahim Kebay and Yusuf Kamara, on 21 June 2023 at No. 57 Main Motor Road in Waterloo on the outskirts of Freetown, conspired with unknown persons and stole 200 bags of Indian parboil rice valued at NLe127,000 belonging to Abdul H. Kebay.

The charge sheet furthered that the third accused, Isatu Kamara on the same date and place at Ferry Junction in Freetown, received 45 bags of Indian parboil rice valued at NLe29,250 from Yusuf Kamara knowing them to have been stolen.

Defence counsel A. K. Kamara representing the third accused applied for bail on behalf of his client assuring the bench that his client is a Sierra Leonean and that his client has reliable sureties willing and ready to enter into his cognizance.

Lawyer Kamara told the court his client would not interfere with the prosecution’s witness and cited sections 79 (2) (3) and (3) of the Criminal Procedure Act No. 32 of 1965.

He assured the court that if the third accused is granted bail, she will always avail herself in court as and when needed. Mr Kamara humbly apologized to the bench for the third accused coming to court late and assured them that she will never repeat such. He vowed to admonish her.

In his response, the police prosecutor assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Osman M. Bangura objected to bail though he didn’t serve the defense affidavit in opposing bail. He said he objected to the bail due to the quantum of money involved.

Having heard the bail application, Magistrate Kekura denied the accused bail and remanded them to the Male and Female Correctional Centres in Freetown, and the matter was adjourned to 20 July 2023 for further hearing.