On Tuesday, 3rd August 2024, Joan Keister, wife of former Leone Stars coach John Keister, brought her caretaker, Sam Sesay, before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Pademba Road Court No.2, accusing him of stealing 150,000 New Leones from her home.

Sesay, now facing charges of conspiracy to commit a crime and larceny under the Larceny Act of 1916, was remanded in custody.

The indictment revealed that on 20th August 2024, at Johnson Street in Aberdeen, Freetown, Sesay allegedly conspired with unknown persons to steal the sum from Keister’s residence. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to both charges when they were read out in court.

In her testimony, Joan Keister, Chief Executive Officer of the Cotton Tree Foundation, explained that on 20th August, she had traveled to England, leaving Sesay in charge of her house and its keys, including access to a safe in her bedroom. She stated that she had left 150,000 New Leones in the safe before her departure.

Upon her return to Sierra Leone several weeks later, Keister discovered that the money was missing. She immediately contacted her husband, who was in Bo at the time. Despite being in possession of the keys, John Keister denied any knowledge of the missing funds.

After confronting Sesay about any visitors in her absence, he claimed no one had entered the house. Keister subsequently reported the matter to the Aberdeen Police Station, leading to Sesay’s arrest.

Without legal representation, Sesay cross-examined Keister himself. Magistrate Bangura, citing the severity of the charges, denied bail and adjourned the case to 6th September 2024.