Magistrate Wilbreen John of Pademba Road Court No. 7 has on Friday 24th February 2023, sentenced Abdulai Jalloh to 18 months imprisonment after being found guilty of maliciously damaging a Baylan water meter at Hill Street.
Abdulai Jalloh was charged on one count charge for malicious damage contrary to Section 51 of the Malicious Damage Act 1861.
According to the particulars of offence, it was alleged that on Wednesday 15th February 2023 at Hill Street the Western Area in Freetown, the accused person Abdulai Jalloh did damage one blue and white colored Baylan water meter valued at Three Thousand Leones (Le 3,000) being property of Guma Valley Water Company.
The charges were read and explained to the accused person and he pleaded guilty as charged.
Abdulai Jalloh is the second individual to be jailed in connection with Guma Valley Water Company water meter; in August 2022, Morlai Kargbo was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment by Magistrate Peter Gogra of the Pademba Road Court No. 1 for stealing a water meter at Guma Valley Water Company Office at Tower Hill.
Speaking after the judgement, the Director of Commercial Services at Guma Valley Water Company, Mrs. Eunice Tejan admonished members of the public to protect the water meters that are currently being installed from theft or damage as this being done for the benefit of both the company and its customers.
Mrs. Tejan added that the water meter helps in the conservation of water supply and allows the customer pays for just the amount of water he or she uses, thereby less disputes over bills.
Guma Valley Water Company started the installation of water meters at its customers premises in September 2022 as part of its universal metering process over the next three years.