Ex-Navy Officer In Court For Store Breaking & Larceny

By: Fatmata Mohamed Bangura
Ex-navy officer Sidiki Kondeh has been arrested and charged with store breaking and larceny, contrary to Section 26(1) of the Larceny Act of 1916, for allegedly breaking into a military garage and stealing valuable auto parts and tools.
According to court documents, the incident occurred on Monday 11th August 2025 at the Navy Garage Compound in Freetown. Kondeh is accused of unlawfully entering the premises and stealing the following items:
Two motor alternators and a vehicle part valued at NLe 3000, a drilling machine worth NLe 500, a vehicle station valued at NLe 1,500, three pairs of sneakers (crape) worth NLe 3,000 total all of which valued NLe8,000 belonging to Alpha Sawaneh, a military mechanic attached to the Navy.
The second prosecution witness, Mohamed Mansaray, military personnel residing at Hill Station testified before the court and identified the complainant as his co-worker. He also confirmed that the accused, Kondeh had previously worked with him.
Mansaray recalled that on the morning of the incident, the complainant reported to him that several items had been stolen from his garage. A thorough investigation was launched, and suspicion fell on Kondeh.
Mansaray told the court that a search was conducted at the residence of Kondeh and that they found the accused inside the apartment and, upon searching, discovered two alternators and other car parts believed to have been stolen.
When questioned, Kondeh reportedly claimed he had been given the items to repair. However, authorities were not convinced and immediately handed him over to the complainant, after which a formal report was made at the police station.
The matter was adjourned to 4th September 2025 for further proceedings.