By Saidu Jalloh, D.S
Freetown Two Freetown businessmen have been remanded in custody over the theft of a specialised echocardiography machine valued at $37,100, one of only two such devices available in Sierra Leone’s healthcare system.
Abdul Jabba Mansaray and Joseph Bellon appeared before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No. 2 to answer five counts, including conspiracy, larceny, obtaining money by false pretences, and receiving stolen goods under the Larceny Act of 1916.
The stolen equipment, a password-protected Vivid iQ Ultra Edition scanner, is used by trained cardiologists for advanced heart diagnostics and is considered critical to cardiac care in the country. Prosecutors told the court the device is effectively unusable by anyone without specialist training.
Court documents allege that on January 28 and 29, 2026, Mansaray defrauded Fatmata Jullet Nicolls and George Russell of Le2,500 and Le1,015, respectively, via Orange Money. He reportedly claimed the funds were for transport to retrieve the machine from Kenema, knowing the claim to be false.
Bellon faces a separate count of receiving stolen property. Prosecutors allege that between January 13 and 28, 2026, he took possession of the scanner from Mansaray at Kossoh Town, Freetown, knowing it belonged to Professor Dr. James Russell.
Testifying as the first prosecution witness, nurse Fatmata Jullet Nicolls of Prime Care Medical Clinic identified both defendants and the complainant, her employer. She told the court the machine was used for patient scans on January 13 before Professor Russell left the clinic. She later received a call from him stating the device was missing.
Nicolls said an unknown caller subsequently sent her a photograph of the scanner for verification. The image was printed and submitted in evidence as Exhibit A1–A26. She added that the caller requested Le1,000 for transport to Kenema to take further photographs. After she sent the money, he confirmed receipt and forwarded another image of the machine with its bag the following day.
Defence counsel A.B. Sesay applied for bail, citing the defendants’ status as Sierra Leoneans with reliable sureties and pledging they would not interfere with witnesses.
Magistrate Fornah denied bail to both men, citing the gravity of the charges. The case was adjourned to April 28, 2026, for continued hearings.
Prime Clinic had issued a public appeal in January for the machine’s return, offering a “handsome reward” and pledging a “no questions asked” policy to prioritise patient care. Health stakeholders say recovery of the scanner is urgent to restore cardiac diagnostic services.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Prime Clinic at 3 Bathurst Street, Freetown, or call +232 99 749 152.
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