By Fatima Kpaka
A 39-year-old police officer, Mendayga Salia, has been remanded at the Male Correctional Facility in Freetown after appearing before Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah of Pademba Road Court No. 1 on an alleged embezzlement charge.
Salia is facing one count of Embezzlement, contrary to Section 17(2)(b) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to court records, the accused, while employed by the Inspector General of Police, allegedly fraudulently embezzled Le104,200 and US$900 (Le22,140), the latter said to be equivalent to , bringing the total value of the alleged misappropriated funds to Le126,340, property of the Sierra Leone Police.
The alleged offence is said to have occurred on a date unknown between July 1 and September 28, 2026, in Freetown.
When the charge was read and explained in court, no plea was taken from the accused, as the matter is proceeding by way of committal proceedings.
Leading the prosecution, Assistant Superintendent of Police Dellia Wellington informed the court that the case and inquiry file had been served on defence counsel.
Defence lawyer M.A. Turay applied for bail on behalf of the accused, arguing that Salia is a resident within the court’s jurisdiction and would not abscond if granted bail. Counsel based the application on Section 76(1)(c) of the Criminal Procedure Act 2024.
However, Magistrate Jah rejected the bail application, citing the seriousness of the allegation.
The accused was subsequently remanded in custody, and the matter was adjourned to October 13, 2026 for further proceedings.