August 25, 2021
By Audrey John
Alfred Mohammed Bangura made another appearance before magistrate Sahr Keikura on the 24th August 2021.
Prosecution witness number two Hajaratu Smith attached to the CID Headquarters as an inspector said she knew complainant and recognized the accused in the dock.
Whiles narrating, she said on the 16th March 2020 she was on duty when a case of fraudulent conversation was assigned to her and she obtained statements from complainant and witnesses.
She informed the court that on that day she and other officers went and search for the accused on the address given to them by the complainant.
“On the 27th March 2021 I issued a warrant of arrest for the accused, and on the 7th July 2021 I arrested the accused on the warrant that was signed and dated by me and I obtained voluntary caution statements from the accused by observing the judges rules.
The caution statements of the accused were tender in court to form part of the evidence and on the same day an additional statements was obtained from the accused.
While the on 14 July 2021 the accused requested for an additional statements and she admitted to the allegations, and the on 19th July 2021 she charge the accused with the offence of fraudulent conversation and he was caution and question in krio and he made responses in krio, witness narrated.
The charge statement was also tendered in court to form part of the evidence.
During cross examination by defense counsel Joseph Amara the witness said that in the first statements made by the accused he denied the allegations. Defense counsel said they will make a written no case submission, and made an application for bail on behalf of the accused person.
He made this application pursuant to section 79 sub section 2 of the Criminal Procedure Act of 1965.
The accused was arraigned on a count of fraudulent conversion contrary to section 20 of the larceny act of 1916.
According to the charge sheet, it was alleged that the accused on the 20th December 2019 in Freetown converted to his own use and benefit certain property a Nissan Pathfinder Jeep with registration number ALF 249 valued 32 million Leones entrusted to him by Ansumana Foday for the purpose of sale.
Bail was granted the accused person in the sum of 100 million Leones and two sureties in like sum and one of the surety should be gainfully employed and should produce valid identity card depicting his/her address in Freetown approved by DAR. The matter is adjourned to 7th September 2021.