By: Alimatu Kargbo
Twenty-three-year-old Alpha Umaru Newland, an unemployed man of No. 2 Kroobay, Freetown, has pleaded guilty to stealing and maliciously damaging property belonging to the Ministry of Finance valued at NLe146,000.
Newland appeared before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at the Pademba Road Magistrate Court No. 2, where he faced two counts of larceny and malicious damage.
The larceny charge was brought under Section 2 of the Larceny Act 1916, while the malicious damage charge was brought under Section 51 of the Malicious Damage Act 1861.
According to the particulars of offence, on Monday, March 23, 2026, at the Ministry of Finance on George Street, Freetown, Newland allegedly stole a generator control system copper cable valued at NLe137,000 and two 100-amp batteries valued at NLe9,000.
The alleged stolen items, which are said to belong to the Ministry of Finance, have a combined value of NLe146,000.
Newland was also accused of maliciously damaging the generator control system copper cable, valued at NLe137,000.
When the charges were read and explained to him in court, Newland pleaded guilty to both counts.
The prosecution, led by Deputy Assistant Superintendent of Police (DASP) Sorie Conteh, informed the court that Newland had no previous criminal record.
Following his guilty plea, Magistrate Fornah adjourned the matter to October 5, 2026, for sentencing. There was no re-examination of the witness.
The matter was subsequently adjourned to October 5, 2026, for further hearing.
