By Audrey John
Sahr John Idriss made another appearance before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Pademba road court No.1 in Freetown on one count charge to wit Obtaining money by false pretenses contrary to section 32 (1) of the Larceny Act 1916
According to the particulars of offence on a date between 1st November and 30th November 2019 at Malama Thomas Street the western area in Freetown with intent to defraud obtained the sum of Forty-five million Leones (45,000,000) from Osman Bah by falsely pretending that you have two town lots of land for sale knowing same to be false
Leading evidence by defense counsel Kadie M Taylor
Prosecution witness number one Osman Bah a business man said he recognized the accused person in the dock as a friend.
He recalled on a date between 1st November to 30th November 2019 on that date the accused person together with his mother met him at his business place crying for help that one of his brother in Brazil has problem and they’re about to deport him so they are in need of ten million Leones urgently they have a land two town lots for sale at Ogoo Farm.
The witness said he give the ten million Leones to the accused person the same day and the accused person gave him the document of the said land on Sunday they visited the land and he showed him to the Caretaker which the accused person told him that he placed him.
Thereafter, the accused person together with his mother came again to him that one of her daughter in the village gave birth so they’re in need of five million Leones and he gave the money to them and the Mother told him to communicate with her son for the land and they agreed on forty-five million Leones the witness said on different occasions the accused person requested for money and it was given to him.
The money later equivalent to the forty-five million Leones he didn’t have receipts for the transaction made by him and the accused person the witness said after they end the documentation process the Lawyer B K Musa advised him to go to the person that sold the land to the accused person.
The witness they went to one Mr Chambers and the said Chambers told him that he has signed a conveyance for the brother of the accused person for the said land the said Chambers denied the accused person he ask the accused person what is the next step the accused person give him excuse
The document was produced and tendered in court and marked as exhibit A1-2.
The witness said he made statement at the Criminal Investigation Department Cid headquarters in Freetown.
Cross examination by the accused person we’re where you when I told you that myself and pastor Chambers are coming to the Lawyer the witness said I was with my own lawyer
Since the very first day I told you about the land I told you that the Land belongs to my brother the witness said yes
However Magistrate Keikura granted the accused person bail in the sum of one hundred million Leones or one surety in like sum surety must be resident within the western area the said surety to be gainfully employed from a recognized institution the surety should produce identity card from the said institution bail to be verified by the Bench and approved by the Deputy Acting Registrar
Matter adjourned to the 23rd March 2022.
