By Fatima Kpaka
Freetown, Sierra Leone – Magistrate Court No. 2 on Pademba Road has once again denied bail to Osman Sesay, a painter accused of participating in a theft at the Faith Healing Bible Church construction site in Congo Town. His co-accused, Idrissa Conteh, remains on bail as the case proceeds.
Both men are facing three charges: conspiracy to commit a felony, store breaking and larceny, and receiving stolen property—offences under Sections 26(1) and 33(1) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to police, the alleged offences occurred between August 3 and December 21, 2024. Prosecutors say Sesay broke into the church store and stole equipment valued at Le231,300, including Yamaha speakers, mixers, a generator cable, and assorted electronic items. Conteh allegedly received one of the stolen speakers, valued at Le9,000.
Testifying as the fourth prosecution witness, Detective Police Constable (DPC) 13878 Paul Blango of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) recounted how the case was first reported on September 4, 2024. A team led by Inspector Hassan Dumbuya visited the scene and documented evidence of forced entry.
Blango detailed how voluntary caution statements were obtained from both accused persons in Krio and translated into English. The first accused, Sesay, reportedly confessed and confirmed his statement with a thumbprint. His caution and charge statements were marked as Exhibits A1–7 and B1–3 respectively.
Similarly, the second accused, Conteh, gave multiple caution and charge statements between December 24 and 31, 2024. These were admitted as Exhibits C1–15 and F1–3. Investigators also reportedly retrieved a large speaker box from Conteh during their inquiry.
Defense counsel A.B. Marrah conducted a cross-examination of the witness, and the matter was adjourned to June 27, 2025. While bail for Conteh was extended, Sesay was remanded at the Male Correctional Facility in Freetown.