By Alima Kargbo
A businessman has testified before Magistrate John Manso Fornah of Pademba Road Magistrate Court No. 2 in Freetown in the ongoing larceny case involving the alleged theft of his Infiniti Jeep.
The accused, Amadu Jalloh, is facing one count of larceny, contrary to Section 2 of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the charge sheet, Jalloh allegedly stole, as a bailee, a bottle-green Infiniti QX4 Jeep bearing registration number ATY 897, valued at US$7,000 (equivalent to NLe165,000). The offence is alleged to have occurred in June 2023 at Adonkia, Goderich, within the Freetown Judicial District.
Testifying as the prosecution’s witness, businessman Abubakarr Barrie told the court that he owned the vehicle and had taken it to the accused for repairs after purchasing shock absorbers and engine oil. He said the total cost of the spare parts and repair work was NLe8,000.
Barrie explained that the accused instructed him to return after one week to collect the vehicle. However, when he returned, Jalloh informed him that he was ill. The witness said he later travelled to the provinces, believing the repairs would be completed before his return.
Upon returning to the garage, Barrie testified that he discovered the vehicle was missing. When he questioned the accused, he was told that the Jeep had been parked inside a fenced compound. After several unsuccessful attempts to gain access, he eventually found the gate open, entered the compound, but could not locate the vehicle.
The witness further told the court that when he went back to the garage, the accused had disappeared. He reported the matter to the head of the garage, who advised him to remain patient.
Barrie said his sister later informed him that the accused had been arrested but escaped before he could arrive. He testified that he eventually traced and apprehended Jalloh at Texaco.
According to the complainant, the accused later took him to a man identified as Pa Beh, where he admitted that Barrie had entrusted him with the Jeep for repairs and promised to compensate him for the missing vehicle. Barrie said Pa Beh assured him that he would engage the accused’s family to raise funds for compensation.
However, after several days without progress, Pa Beh allegedly advised him to pursue legal action. Barrie said he subsequently reported the matter to the police, leading to the accused’s arrest in Kabala on a warrant, which was tendered in court and marked as Exhibit A. He added that he later made a statement to the police along with his witness.
The case was adjourned to 27 July 2026 for further hearing.
