By Saidu Jalloh, Reporter D.S.
Kenema District — Justice Cosmotina Jarrett has sentenced Ibrahim Barrie and Sao Fefegulah to 7 and 5 years in prison, respectively, for their involvement in the theft of a 4-carat diamond valued at NLe 511,589.
The duo was convicted on charges of housebreaking and receiving stolen goods under Section 33(1) of the Larceny Act 1916. Barrie, the primary offender, was found guilty of breaking into the home of Moses Brima Conteh in Kenema District between August 1 and August 31, 2023, where he stole four pieces of diamond.
Fefegulah, the second convict, was accused of receiving the stolen items. Both men pleaded guilty to the charges when presented with them in court. In their plea for leniency, they asserted that they had learned their lesson during their time in custody. Barrie described himself as a pupil, while Fefegulah identified as a family man with six children, emphasizing that this was their first encounter with the law.
Barrie claimed to have sold the diamonds for NLe 1,200, while Fefegulah stated that Barrie had entrusted him with the diamonds, claiming one went missing on their way to sell it.
After considering the severity of the offense, Justice Jarrett sentenced Barrie to 7 years and Fefegulah to 5 years in prison, including time already spent in remand. Although the maximum penalty under the law is 14 years, the judge opted for a lesser sentence.
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