By Fatima Kpaka
Freetown, Sierra Leone – December 9, 2025 – Justice Santigie Ibrahim Sorie Bangura has sentenced Senesie Kalokoh to 12 years imprisonment after convicting him of office breaking and larceny involving assorted medical equipment and supplies.
Kalokoh was charged under Section 26(1) of the Larceny Act of 1916. According to the indictment, on April 13, 2025, he broke into the Bumpeh Community Government Health Centre in Kono District and stole items valued at Le 48,685.
The stolen property included:
- 100 packets of Dio Mix medicines (Le 900)
- 20 packets of assorted biscuits (Le 600)
- 4 crates of assorted drinks (Le 650)
- 10 sugar testing machines (Le 2,400)
- 5 BP testing machines (Le 1,200)
- 1 solar light (Le 60,000)
- 1 power bank (Le 500)
- 2 manual mobile phones (Le 800)
- 1 scissor (Le 40)
The items belonged to the Ministry of Health and Sanitation and were in the custody of Sheku Gbandi.
State Prosecutor C. R. Sesay urged the court to sentence the convict in line with the law, noting there was no evidence of prior criminal records.
Defense Counsel A. O. Kamara pleaded for leniency, describing Kalokoh as a first-time offender, a husband, and father of two. He argued that the convict regretted his actions and promised not to reoffend.
Kalokoh, when given the opportunity to speak, said he had nothing to add.
In delivering judgment, Justice Bangura described the convict’s conduct as “despicable,” stressing that it undermined government efforts to provide affordable and quality healthcare services.
“If conduct like that of the defendant is not checked, it will deprive many citizens who are to benefit from medical supplies provided by the government, including the wife and children of the convict,” he stated.
Justice Bangura further noted that Kalokoh had been described as a “notorious thief” in a statement made to police by his late father, reinforcing the risk of repeated offences.
He concluded that a custodial sentence was necessary and handed down 12 years imprisonment.
The ruling highlights Sierra Leone’s judiciary’s firm stance against crimes that threaten public health services. Authorities continue to emphasize that theft of medical supplies directly undermines efforts to deliver essential healthcare to vulnerable communities.