Magistrate Fornah Remands Two Businessmen
Two businessmen, Abdul Jabba Mansaray and Joseph Bellon, have been remanded after making another appearance before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No. 2 on five counts including conspiracy, larceny, obtaining money by false pretences, and receiving stolen goods, contrary to the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the charge sheet, the first defendant, Abdul Jabba Mansaray, is alleged to have, on 13 January 2026 at No. 3 Bathurst Street, Freetown, conspired with other persons unknown to commit a crime, to wit : larceny.
He is further alleged to have stolen one Vivid IQ Echo Machine valued at thirty-seven thousand one hundred United States dollars ($37,100), property of Professor Dr. James Russell.
The prosecution also alleges that on 28 and 29 January 2026, Mansaray obtained a total of Le3,515 from Fatmata Jullet Nicolls and George Russell through Orange Money under the false pretence that the funds were needed as transport fare to facilitate the recovery and movement of the stolen machine.
The second defendant, Joseph Bellon, is alleged to have, between 13 and 28 January 2026 in Freetown, received the said Vivid IQ Echo Machine valued at $37,100, knowing it to be stolen property belonging to Professor Dr. James Russell.
When the charges were read and explained, no plea was taken.
The prosecution called its witness, John Turay, a driver and cleaner, who is also responsible for the installation and dismantling of the said machine at the hospital. He told the court that the machine belongs to Dr. Russell.
He testified that on 13 January 2026, he was at IPAM University with his boss, Dr. Russell, en route to their office at New England when Nurse Belinda called, instructing him to collect the machine from No. 3 Bathurst Street.
He said he went to the location, collected the machine, placed it in its bag, and put it inside his boss’s vehicle. He added that he later went to close the clinic, ensuring both the first and second gates were secured.
The witness stated that upon returning to the vehicle, he discovered that the machine was missing. He immediately returned to Bathurst Street and made enquiries, but no one could account for its whereabouts.
He further testified that he informed Dr. Russell, picked him up, and together they returned to Bathurst Street to continue searching, but again found no trace of the machine.
He told the court that he later reported the matter to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) the following day, where he made a statement.
At the end of his testimony, Defence Counsels A.B. Sesay and C. Campbell cross-examined the witness in an effort to challenge the prosecution’s case and establish the innocence of their clients.
After hearing submissions, Magistrate John Manso Fornah refused bail and ordered that both defendants be remanded at the Male Correctional Centre.
The matter has been adjourned to the 8th June, 2026
