By Alimatu Jalloh
Freetown, Sierra Leone – November 25, 2025 Six men accused of carrying out a violent armed robbery at the NASSIT quarters in Bo have been remanded in custody following their appearance before Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah at Pademba Road Court No.1.
The accused—Foday Sallu, Martin Sallu, Joseph Gekamjie Kamara alias Shine, John Bangalie alias Boika, Gbessay Swaray alias Success, and Alhassan Sesay—face six counts including conspiracy to commit robbery with aggravation, robbery with aggravation, wounding, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and receiving stolen property.
Prosecutors allege that on August 28, 2025, the first five accused, armed with guns and machetes, attacked NASSIT quarters at Hancil Road, Bo Town. They reportedly robbed John Malacheous Baimaigay Lamina of valuables including an iPhone 13 Pro Max, a Samsung A23, a Samsung Fold, a silver Apple wristwatch, and three other wristwatches, together valued at Le 135,790.
The suspects are further accused of wounding Lamina with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and assaulting him during the robbery.
On August 29, 2025, the sixth accused, Alhassan Sesay, allegedly received stolen property—a ThinkPad Lenovo laptop and an iPhone 13 Pro Max—knowing them to have been taken from Lamina.
Prosecution witness DPC 11692 Paul Jusu, attached to the Major Crime Unit, CID, testified that he recognized all the accused and had investigated the case after receiving files from the Bo Regional Office. He tendered search warrants, medical reports, and contemporaneous interviews as exhibits.
Jusu also presented items recovered during the investigation, including mobile phones, crowbars, cutlasses, a face mask, screwdrivers, knives, locally made guns, cartridges, and clothing. Ballistic tests and cyber examinations of the suspects’ phone records were also requested and documented.
Statements from the accused, recorded in Krio and translated into English, were admitted into evidence. According to Jusu, each suspect confirmed the contents by thumbprint.
The first five accused, who were unrepresented, cross-examined the witness. It was noted that the fifth accused, Gbessay Swaray, is a condemned convict already serving time in prison. The sixth accused was represented by Counsel A.B. Bangura.
Magistrate Jah ordered all six accused to be remanded in custody and adjourned the matter to December 1, 2025.
The case is being prosecuted by C.S.P. Ziza.