Five men in Court over Diesel Theft
By Fatmata Mohamed Bangura
Five accused persons Osman Saccoh (38), a driver; Abdul Rahman Lahai (25), a vehicle conductor; Mohamed Alie Jalloh (39), a businessman; Alusine Bah (39), a businessman; and Ibrahim Sankoh (39), a businessman, all Sierra Leoneans, made an appearance before Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah on 20th April 2026 on multiple criminal charges.
The accused persons are before the court on four counts of conspiracy to commit a felony, larceny by servant, malicious damage, and receiving stolen goods, contrary to relevant sections of the Larceny Act of 1916 and the Malicious Damage Act of 1861.
According to the particulars of offence, the accused persons on Thursday 12th February 2026 at Makosseh Village, Koya Chiefdom, Port Loko Judicial District, in the North Western Province of the Republic of Sierra Leone, allegedly conspired together with other persons unknown to commit a felony to wit larceny.
On count two, the court heard that Osman Saccoh and Abdul Rahman Lahai, being servants employed by Ibrahim Sorie Saccoh, allegedly stole thirty-nine thousand, six hundred and forty-five (39,645) litres of diesel valued at one million, one hundred and twenty-nine thousand, eight hundred and eighty-two Leones (NLe 1,129,882), property of Ibrahim Sorie Saccoh.
On count three, it was alleged that Osman Saccoh and Abdul Rahman Lahai, on the same date at Makabah Village, Yoni Chiefdom, Tonkolili Judicial District, maliciously damaged several parts of a Mercedes Benz tanker vehicle with registration number AWR 472, property of Ibrahim Sorie Saccoh.
The damaged items included the right side door glass, front windscreen, left side door glass, right reflecting mirror, fuel tank, chassis, front tires, back tires, cab sun shield and front bumper, all to a total value of Two Hundred and Eighty-Six Thousand, Three Hundred and Seventy Leones (NLe 286,370).
On count four, Mohamed Alie Jalloh, Alusine Bah and Ibrahim Sankoh were alleged to have received thirty-nine thousand, six hundred and forty-five (39,645) litres of diesel valued at one million, one hundred and twenty-nine thousand, eight hundred and eighty-two Leones (NLe 1,129,882), property of Ibrahim Sorie Saccoh, knowing same to have been stolen.
When the charges were read and explained to the accused persons, no plea was taken.
In a bid to secure their release, defence counsel applied for bail on behalf of the accused persons. However, Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah granted bail to all accused persons in the sum of One Thousand Five Hundred Leones (NLe 1,500) each, with one surety each.
The matter was adjourned to 22nd April 2026 for further hearing.
