November 15, 2021
By Audrey John
Noel Gomez made another appearance before Magistrate Peter Gogra of Pademba road court No.6 in Freetown on one count charge to wit Fraudulent conversion contrary to section 20 (1) (iv) (b) of the Larceny Act 1916.
According to the particulars of offence on Wednesday 28th July 2021 at Spur Road the western area in Freetown Fraudulently converted to your own use and benefit certain property that is to say, one old Samsung 45 inches plasma television, Apple Ipad Samsung mobile phone and other items worth thirty two million one hundred and sixty five thousand Leones (32, 165, 000, 00) entrusted to him by Emmanuel Johnny for the purpose of safe keeping; property of Noevel Barber.
First Prosecution witness (PW1), Noevel Barber a Famer said he recognized the accused person as his care taker of the place where he resides, and recalled on the 28th July 2021 something transfer between himself and the accused person. The witness said he was about to travel and he packed the items inside one room and the keys was handed over to the accused person.
Upon his returned to Sierra Leone he got information at the airport about his properties being missing. He bordered a vehicle from the airport to the police station and took some police officers with him and went to the crime scene and he met the door wildly opened and discovered that his television, Ipad, IPhone and other items were missing. He calculated the total worth to be around thirty two million one hundred and sixty five thousand Leones. Statements were obtained from him and his witness.
Lawyer representing the accused person D. Bangura applied for bail for and on behalf of the accused person that he is a Sierra Leonean resident within this jurisdiction, he has reliable sureties who are willing and ready to enter into recognizance on his behalf he is not a flight risk nor will he jump bail he made his application pursuant to section 79 (2) of the Criminal procedure Act No.32 of 1965.
However, Magistrate Gogra granted the accused person bail in the sum of fifty million Leones or two sureties in like sum the sureties to be resident in the western area both sureties to be employed one surety to produce a valid national passport to identify him/her one surety to be 45 years and above bail to be approved by the Deputy Acting Registrar.
Sergeant 1462 Amiza John prosecuting the Matter adjourned to the 19th November 2021