By Alimatu Kargbo
Magistrate John Manso Fornah of Pademba Road Magistrate’s Court No. 1 in Freetown has remanded a casino clerk, Santigie Kamara, for allegedly stealing betting chips belonging to Golden Beach Casino.
The accused is before the court on a single count charge of Larceny by Servant, contrary to Section 17(1)(a) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the charge sheet, between April and July 2024, at Golden Beach Casino, Beach Road, Aberdeen, the accused, being a clerk employed by the said casino, allegedly stole betting chips valued at Le 679,590, property of Golden Beach Casino.
Testifying in court, Prosecution Witness (PW5), Kindo Papa Kamara, told the Bench that he resides at No. 20 Tengbeh Town, Freetown, and recognizes both the complainant and the accused. He said on 12th July 2024, while on duty at GROH 2 Police Station, a case of larceny was reported and assigned to him for investigation.
The witness stated that himself together with the complainant and the accused, visited the scene where the complainant identified the accused through CCTV footage.
He further told the court that Detective Police Constable (D/PC) 13169 Moifory M. obtained a voluntary caution statement from the accused. The accused was cautioned and questioned in Krio, while his statement was recorded in English, and read back to him, and explained in Krio.
The accused admitted it to be true and correct by affixing his right-hand thumbprint, witnessed by D/PC 13169 Moifory M, while he signed as the recorder. The statement was tendered in court as Exhibit B1–6.
The complainant also tendered a document containing details of the stolen chips from April to July 2024, which was produced and marked as Exhibit C1–2.
Another voluntary caution statement obtained from the accused on 14th July 2024 was also tendered in court as Exhibit D1–3. The witness concluded that the file was later transferred to the CID Headquarters for further investigation.
The matter was adjourned to 21st October 2025 for further hearing.
