January 27, 2022
By Audrey John
The assistant manager of Pearl Hotel, Abu Bakar Fofanah has explained how his management was defrauded by two Spanish nationals and a Gambian the sum of fifteen thousand one hundred united state dollars.
The accused persons, Jose Ramon Gastelurnta and two others are before magistrate Sahr Kekura of Pademba Road Court No I for preliminary investigation on two count charges of conspiracy to defraud and obtaining credit by fraud contrary to law.
It was alleged on the charge sheet that they conspired together to obtain credit by fraud from pearl hotel.
Led in his examination in chief by sergeant 9155 Dwhight Macathy, the witness recognized the accused persons in the dock.
He said he used to assist the upper management in running the hotel.
He said between 30th September and 24th November 2021, first and second accused arrived at the reception desk requesting for accomodations.
He said the receptionist contacted him and he directs them on the services that are available and they negotiated the prices.
“My Lord the second accused communicated with me in English, saying thier colleague is on his way”, he stated.
The witness said they negotiated for two hundred and sixty dollars per night equivalent to two million, nine hundred and ninety thousand leones.
Explaining further, the witness said they proceeded down to the receptionist to obtained information from them through copy of their passport. He said second accused told him that they have their contact in Spain and that they are diplomats.
“We allowed them to stay at the apartment for four nights after which second accused informed us that their colleague third accused has arrived”, he said.
In continuation of his testimony, the witness said they then gave the accused a bigger apartment for three hundred and fifty dollars equivalent to four million twenty five thousand leones including breakfast.
The manager said they billed them for four nights they have spent through an invoice.
He produced the invoice and was about to tender it when defense counsel E Gerber said the documents are not signed.
After perusing the documents, defense counsel admitted for it to be tendered.
Upon reaching that point defense counsel object that the witness should not read on paper.
He said the accomodations booked are five bedroom apartments and the total money owned is fifteen thousand, one hundred and fifty four dollars equivalent to one hundred and seventy seven million leones. He said he reported the matter to the police.
At the conclusion of the witness testimony, magistrate Sahr Kekura ordered for the passports of the accused persons which is in the hands of police to be tender to the DAR because of the evidence adduce so far.
Prosecuting counsel said since they are claiming that they are representing Central Africa Republic they should tender all over passport to prevent flight risk.
Magistrate Sahr Kekura restricted their bail and adjourned the matter to the 28th of January 2022.