Businesswoman Explains Discovery Of Alleged $25,000 Theft
By Fatima Sesay
Zahra Khadar has testified against her maid, Mariatu Bangura and four others, who were arraigned before Magistrate John Manso Fornah of Pademba Road Court for allegedly stealing her $25,000 Dollars.
The accused persons,Mariatu Bangura alias Sampa, Alhassan Sankoh, a cleaner, Katimu Sillah, a house help, Noah Koroma, a bike rider, and Fatmata Sillah, unemployed, made another appearance and were charged with three count charges of Conspiracy, contrary to law, Larceny by Servant, contrary to Section 17(1)(a) of the Larceny Act 1916, and Accessory After the Fact, contrary to Section 35 of the Larceny Act 1916.
According to the particulars of offence, on Tuesday, 26th August 2025, at No. 8 Arthur Drive, Bango farm, Goderich, Freetown, in the Western Area, conspired together with other unknown individuals to commit a felony, to wit: larceny by servant.
They were accused of stealing the sum of twenty-five thousand United States Dollars ($25,000) property of businesswoman Zahra Khadar.
The prosecution alleges that Noah Koroma and Fatmata Sillah, with knowledge of the theft, received and benefited from part of the stolen money.
Led in evidence by Deputy Superintendent of Police Sorie Conteh, Prosecution Witness one, Zahra Khadar, identified the first accused as her maid, the second accused as her houseboy, the third accused as the boyfriend of the first accused, the fourth accused as the sister of the second accused, and the fifth accused as her mother’s maid.
Zahra testified that after discovering a shortage of $2,400 at CEO Bank while attempting a transfer, she returned home and confronted her maid (1st accused) and houseboy (2nd accused). Both later admitted to taking the money, with the first accused producing $2,400 and an additional $1,200. A further search she said was conducted at the 2nd accused’s room where they uncovered $800, while $3,600 was later found in the 1st accused’s room.
She added that the 1st accused admitted using the stolen funds to purchase a motorbike for her boyfriend (3rd accused), and the 2nd accused gave his sister (4th accused) money to also purchase a bike in the provinces. The police subsequently recovered $2,000 from the 4th accused, which is in their custody.
The Defense Counsel, M.Y. Conteh, applied for bail on their behalf citing Regulation 7 of 2018 and Section 76(1)(c) of 2024, assuring the court that the accused had reliable sureties. However, Magistrate Fornah refused bail due to the seriousness of the offences and the likelihood of interference with witnesses.
The matter was adjourned to 22nd September 2025 for further proceedings.
