By sulaiman.sesay@awokonewspaper.sl
Freetown, SIERRA LEONE – In a case that has raised eyebrows and questions, 21-year-old Ibrahim Kamara—a former security guard—stood in court, accused of betraying the very organization he was once hired to protect.
Charged with Office Breaking, Larceny, and Malicious Damage, the unemployed young man faced serious allegations of ransacking the offices of Defense for Children International (DCI) in Tengbeh Town—stealing cash, personal belongings, and leaving a trail of destruction in his wake.
According to prosecutors, Kamara forced his way into the DCI office on February 1, 2025, making off with NLe5,500 in cash, three pairs of slippers, and other items—totaling NLe27,500 in stolen goods.
But the damage didn’t stop there. Prosecutors say he smashed a cabinet, broke a ceiling, and destroyed a lock—causing an additional NLe8,150 in damages. The wreckage was so severe that it disabled the office’s CCTV camera, leaving investigators with little footage to work with.
The case took a dramatic turn when John Tarawally, DCI’s finance officer, took the stand. He revealed that Kamara had previously worked as a security guard in the same compound—raising troubling questions about whether this was a crime of opportunity or a deeper act of retaliation.
Tarawally recounted receiving a frantic call from a staff member on the day of the break-in. Rushing to the scene, he found shattered furniture, a broken ceiling, and missing items—including a laptop from the administrator’s office.
Unrepresented by a lawyer, Kamara attempted to challenge the testimony, but his arguments failed to sway the court. With no plea taken and the evidence mounting, Magistrate Santigie Bangura refused bail, sending Kamara to Freetown’s Male Correctional Facility as the case proceeds.
The case has been adjourned to April 7, 2025. SKS/4/4/2025
