Casino Clerk Remanded for Larceny

By Fatmata Mohamed Bangura
Magistrate John Manso Fonah of Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown has ordered the remand of Santigie Kamara, a casino clerk, for allegedly stealing betting chips belonging to Golden Beach Casino.
Kamara is facing a single count of Larceny by a 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, located on Beach Road in Aberdeen, the accused—while employed as a clerk—allegedly stole betting chips valued at NLe679,590 the property of Golden Beach Casino.
Testifying in court, Prosecution Witness (PW5), Kindo Papa Kamara stated that he resides at No. 20 Tengbeh Town, Freetown, and that he knows both the complainant and the accused. He told the court that on 12th July 2024, while on duty at GROH 2 Police Station, he was assigned to investigate a larceny case reported by the complainant.
The witness said that he visited the scene with both the complainant and the accused. During the visit, the complainant identified Kamara as the suspect, based on CCTV footage.
Kamara added 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, read back to him, and explained in Krio. Kamara affirmed its truth by affixing his right-hand thumbprint, witnessed by D/PC Moifory. The statement was admitted into evidence as Exhibit B1–6.
Additionally, the complainant tendered a document detailing the stolen chips from April to July 2024. It was marked and admitted as Exhibit C1–2.
A second voluntary caution statement from the accused, dated 14th July 2024, was also tendered and marked as Exhibit D1–3. The witness concluded by stating that the case file was later transferred to CID Headquarters for further investigation.