Violent Robbery in Kenema
By Fatima Sesay
In a case that has shaken the community of Kenema, Richard Brima appeared again before Magistrate Patrick Fofanah at Pademba Road Court No. 1 on Monday, May 26, 2025, facing serious charges of robbery with violence and assault causing actual bodily harm. Richard Brima stands accused of launching a violent attack on a prominent local businessman, Abdulai Darboh, who also serves as the President of the Scrap Metal Association. According to court documents, the incident occurred on the evening of Thursday, October 3, 2024, around 8:00 p.m. at Gava Forestry Quarters in the Nongowa Chiefdom, Kenema District, Eastern Province. The charge sheet alleges that Brima, accompanied by a gang of thugs, violently assaulted Darboh and robbed him of $16,000 USD—the equivalent of 20,000 new Leones (Le 20,000)—along with a valuable silver wristwatch, leaving the victim financially devastated. Prosecution witness Alusine Williams testified during the hearing, recounting a chilling experience he had moments before the robbery. Williams said that while walking near the Gava entrance gate by the former Kenema forest, he was warned by a young boy—someone he had previously helped—not to proceed further. The boy allegedly cautioned him that Brima had brought accomplices to the area. Williams told the court he paused at the gate, unsure whether to continue, when suddenly one of Brima’s associates shouted a warning that anyone attempting to enter would be “dealt with.” Tension filled the courtroom as Williams recounted the events of that night. However, due to inconsistencies in the witness’s statements, Magistrate Fofanah ruled to continue bail for the accused. The matter was adjourned to June 5, 2025, for further clarification. Meanwhile, the case has left many in Kenema on edge, grappling with the rising concerns of violent crime in what was once a peaceful community. As the investigation continues, residents are calling for swift justice and reinforced security to restore confidence and safety in their neighborhoods.
