By: Alimatu Kargbo
The defendant in a two-count larceny matter, Albert Nuru Cole, has testified before Magistrate Julia Mary Gbloh at the Pademba Road Court No.5 in Freetown.
Cole is before the court on two counts of larceny, contrary to Section 2 of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the particulars of offence, the defendant, on Monday 13 February 2026, along Pademba Road, allegedly stole one vehicle tyre valued at seven hundred thousand leones from a Toyota RAV4 with registration number ANG 241, property of Chernor Ibrahim Mansaray.
On count two, the court heard that the defendant, on the same date, allegedly stole a sum of five hundred United States dollars from the same vehicle, property of Nancy Augusta Kamara, while in the custody of Chernor Ibrahim Mansaray.
When the charges were read and explained to the defendant, no plea was taken.
The defendant, Albert Nuru Cole, a driver, told the court that he recognized the complainant in the matter. He recalled that on Monday, 13 February 2026, one Muhammed, a fitter, informed him that a car was at the CID and asked him to take the vehicle’s wheel to him at Murray Town for repairs, stating that his wife intended to travel with it to Conakry.
He said that upon receiving the request, he took the wheel to the CID to see Abdul and confirm whether it belonged to him. However, he was stopped by police officers who questioned him about it. He stated that the officers accused him of intending to transport kush and tramadol, which he denied, explaining that he had only been sent to deliver the wheel.
The defendant further alleged that he was beaten by the officers and taken into custody. He said the police later called Abdul, who denied that the wheel belonged to him, stating that his own car was parked inside the CID.
He continued that after about a week, the police went to Muhammed and brought him to the CID for questioning, although he was not present at the time.
He stated that a statement was obtained from him, and four days later, an additional statement was also taken.
Cole was cross-examined by Police Prosecutor 1515 Esther Tambo. However, Magistrate Julia Mary Gblo adjourned the matter to 24 April 2026 and ordered that the defendant be remanded in custody pending judgment.
