February 26, 2021
By: Audrey. R. John
50 years old man, Mohammed Kargbo has been arraigned before Magistrate Hadiru Daboh of Ross Road Court in Freetown for allegedly defrauding Osman Jalloh and Chernor Amidu Jalloh (Complainants) the sum of two hundred and fifty million Leones for a piece of land at Kissy bye pass road.
According to charge sheet, it was alleged by the prosecution that on the 16th March 2019 at No.1 kissy bye pass road the accused with intent to defraud and obtain the above sum from both Complainants by falsely pretending that they have a piece of land for sale at the above address.
After the charge has been read, argument ensued between both Prosecuting Counsel A Kondowa and Defence Counsel I.S. Saccoh as to whether the charge was properly tabled before the court.
Defence Counsel I.S Saccoh in his reply stated that by virtue of the transaction, Osman Jalloh was a complete stranger on the matter.
Prosecution Counsel A. Kondowa further stated that there is a receipt to show that the accused received the Sum of two hundred and fifty million Leones. He also said that the second complainant Chernor Amidu Jalloh was out of the transaction and that the property was purchased with a conveyance signed by three people including the accused.
Defence Counsel I.S Saccoh in response to the above said his client is before the court for false pretenses and not for title.
Responding to Prosecuting Counsel A. Kondowa, Magistrate Daboh said the offence of false pretenses can be established when someone buys a property and never accessed it.
Magistrate Daboh advised Prosecuting Counsel A. Kondowa to amend the file for next adjourned date.
Prosecuting Counsel A. Kondowa said his Client leased the property and later bought it from the owner. He said people are still occupying the second floor and they are not allowing his clients access to the property. The matter was adjourned to the 4th March, 2021.
