By Alimatu Jalloh
FREETOWN — A nurse at Pujehun Government Hospital, 40-year-old Sylvester Musa, also known as Sylvester Amara, appeared before Magistrate Augustine Brima Samura at Pademba Road Court No. 8 on charges of theft and fraudulent conversion of government medical supplies.
Musa faces two counts under the Larceny Act of 1916—Larceny by Servant (Section 17(i)) and Fraudulent Conversion (Section 20(iv)(a)). Prosecutors allege that on April 26, 2025, while serving as a storekeeper at the hospital, Musa unlawfully appropriated 76 cartons and 33 boxes of free healthcare medical drugs, which had been entrusted to him for safekeeping.
The accused did not enter a plea during his initial appearance.
Testifying in court, Sergeant 9859 Sahr Koroma Sundu, an investigator attached to the Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU) in Hastings, confirmed receiving the case from Freetown West Police Division on May 3, 2025. According to Sergeant Sundu, the case file included key documents such as a search warrant (Exhibit A), an arresting officer’s report (Exhibit B1–3), and a verification request for the seized drugs (Exhibit C1–2).
The prosecution further tendered Musa’s voluntary caution statement (Exhibit D1–10) and a follow-up caution statement taken in Krio and translated to English, which Musa affirmed with his thumbprint (Exhibit E1–15). Additional evidence included a legal opinion from the Director of Public Prosecutions (Exhibit F) and a final charge statement (Exhibit G1–3).
Defense counsel E. Kamara cross-examined the witness, challenging the admissibility and handling of the statements.
Despite the gravity of the allegations, Magistrate Samura granted Musa bail in the sum of Le100,000, with two sureties of equal amount. The sureties must be Freetown residents and provide valid national identification confirming their address. Bail approval is subject to the Deputy Assistant Registrar’s verification.
The case has been adjourned to July 3, 2025, for further hearing.