By Fatima Kpaka
A 56-year-old businessman, Mohamed Ansumana Dabeneh, has been remanded at the Male Correctional Centre after appearing before Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah of Pademba Road Court No. 1 on allegations of theft at the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning.
Dabeneh is facing one count of larceny, contrary to Section 2 of the Larceny Act 1916.
According to court records, the accused allegedly stole a black crossbody bag belonging to Hossam Magdy on August 12, 2026, at the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, located at Youyi Building in Brookfields, Freetown.
The prosecution alleged that the bag contained US$20,000 (equivalent to Le474,000), Le4,800 in cash, a pair of white AirPods valued at Le8,000, and a bottle of perfume worth Le500, bringing the total value of the items to Le487,300.
When the charge was read and explained to him, Dabeneh pleaded not guilty.
Leading evidence for the prosecution, Assistant Commissioner of Police Juan M.S. Bull called the complainant, Hossam Magdy, as the first witness.
In his testimony, Magdy told the court that he knew the accused and recalled an incident involving them on August 12, 2026. He said he had gone to the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning for an appointment and proceeded to the third floor, where he waited in a waiting room ahead of a scheduled meeting with the Minister.
Magdy testified that he was carrying the bag containing the US$20,000 and other personal belongings. He further stated that after entering the Minister’s office for the meeting, he inadvertently left the bag in the waiting room.
Following the witness’s testimony, the prosecution applied for a short adjournment to continue leading evidence in the matter.
Magistrate Jah denied bail, citing the seriousness of the offence, and ordered that the accused be remanded at the Male Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.
The case was adjourned to September 18, 2026, for continuation of the hearing.