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The Magistrate Court in Freetown has granted bail to 10 accused persons facing allegations of stealing a shipping container and its contents at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay in Cline Town.
Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah of Pademba Road Court No. 1 approved bail for the accused persons after they appeared before the court on several charges, including conspiracy to commit larceny, larceny, forgery, uttering forged documents, and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
The accused persons are Abu Bakarr Kabba Mansaray, Ibrahim Ahmed Kargbo, Ibrahim Bangura, Benito Conteh, Mohamed Amara Kamara, Alhassan Kamara, Jacob Gbaya, Mohamed Sahr Tommy, Chernor Amadu Sesay, and Abu Mansaray.
According to the prosecution, the alleged offences occurred between May 1 and May 22, 2026, at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay in Cline Town, Freetown, involving a shipping container with serial number TLLU-2297785, which was under the possession of the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA).
The court heard that the container had been detained by authorities as part of an ongoing criminal investigation by the Sierra Leone Police before it was allegedly removed without lawful authorisation.
Prosecutors alleged that the accused persons, together with other individuals yet to be identified, unlawfully removed the container and its contents with the intention of permanently depriving the Ports Authority of possession of it.
The prosecution further alleged that one of the accused persons used a forged staff identity card linked to a clearing and forwarding agency to facilitate the removal of the container. They also alleged attempts were made to interfere with evidence, including CCTV footage connected to the investigation.
No plea was taken when the charges were read in court, as the matter is being handled as a committal proceeding.
Magistrate Jah granted bail to the accused persons in the sum of Le10,000 each, with two sureties. The sureties must be senior responsible citizens residing in District One of Freetown, with at least one required to produce a title deed.
The bail conditions were approved by the Deputy Assistant Registrar, and the matter has been adjourned to August 6, 2026, for further proceedings.
The accused persons remain before the court as the legal process continues.
