Fourah Bay College Student Testifies in Court Over Alleged iPhone Theft and Assault

Fourah Bay College student Blessing Victoria Cole provided testimony on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, before Magistrate Shar Kekura in Pademba Road Court No. 1, concerning the alleged theft of her iPhone, valued at fifteen thousand new Leones, by two defendants.

The defendants, Alimamy Sinneh and Alimamy Gbamkey, are charged with conspiracy and robbery with aggravation, specifically under Section 23(1) of the Larceny Act 1916, as superseded by Section 2 of Act No. 16 of 1971.

According to the charge sheet, the defendants purportedly conspired to commit robbery on Sunday, February 23, 2025, at the Freetown Golf Club, Lumley Beach, where they are accused of forcibly taking an iPhone 11 Pro Max from Ms. Cole while armed with a cutlass and employing personal violence.

In her testimony, Ms. Cole identified both defendants in the courtroom and provided an account of the incident. She stated that while returning home along the beach road after playing basketball with friends and receiving a phone call, Mr. Sinneh allegedly seized her phone.

Ms. Cole recounted a struggle with Mr. Sinneh, which resulted in both falling to the ground, at which point Mr. Gbamkey allegedly took the phone and fled. Despite being threatened with a cutlass by Mr. Sinneh, Ms. Cole continued to resist.

Bystanders intervened, leading to Mr. Sinneh's attempted escape into the water, where he was subsequently apprehended. Ms. Cole reported the theft at a nearby police post and provided a statement. She also obtained a medical report for injuries sustained during the incident, which was submitted as evidence.

The case has been transferred to the Lumley Police Station. The prosecutor, CSP Bull, requested an adjournment for the identification of the stolen phone in court. Both defendants remain in custody and are scheduled to reappear on April 2, 2025, for further proceedings.