February 25, 2021
By: Francis F.M.Harduing
Lawyer Lansana Dumbuya (PW3) has testified before Magistrate Marke Ngegba in Freetown on 24th February, 2021 in a matter involving accused Victor I.Obile charged with one count of obtaining money by false pretense contrary to Laws of Sierra Leone.
The witness said he recognized the accused person as a vendor who sold properties to his client Kadiatu Konneh, the complainant. He said he represented the complainant after the Political appointment of her substantive lawyer, Hon.Solomond Jamiru Esq.
He revealed that when Lawyer Jamiru’s client asked him to represent her in this matter for the said property at 25B Willoughby Lane Freetown; he called the formal solicitor who explained the nature of the transaction between the accused person (Victor I.Obile) and the complainant (Kadiatu Konneh).
PW 3 said he was in his office when one Maseray and the accused person came to his office; they explained to him that they are selling the said property at 25B Willoughby Lane in Freetown and gave him the description of the said properties. It was at that juncture he realized that it was the property that the former Solicitor Solomon Jamiru has bought for his client, and advised them not to sell it.
The witness continued that the complainant and accused had signed a sales agreement whereby the accused collected $400,000 from Kadiatu Konneh. There was mutual understanding that the property belonged to Kadiatu Konneh.
He also stated that the accused person told him, PW3 that that was disagreement over the cost of the property.
PW 3 further explained that his client informed him that it was the accused person who flouted the initial terms and conditions of the deal. He told the court that afterwards he lost touch with the accused person.
Few months later, he received a call from Lawyer Jamiru and told him that he had discussed with his client (Kadiatu Konneh) and has expressed desire to renegotiate the price and also has agreed to pay the sum of $ 80,000 for the properties.
Lawyer Dumbuya told the court that he was passing-by the said property at 25B Willoughby Lane, and saw workers on the property. He stopped and inquire as to who authorized them to work on it, they replied that it has been bought for USD 80,000 by someone.
“So I gave them my contact to give the one who had bought the said properties. Within few minutes I received a called from one Lawyer Bangura, who told me that the properties belong to his client”.
PW 3 said he was in his office when the accused person (Victor I.Obile), the new purchaser and Lawyer Bangura came to his office. Lawyer Dumbuya categorically told them that his client has spent $ 65,000 apart from the solicitor cost to secure those properties.
He decided to invite the Polices from the New England Police Station after which they went to the station to obtain statement from them. At the station the accused person promised to refund the money to Kadiatu Konneh in the presence of himself, Lawyer Jamiru and some police personnel.
Representing the accused person was lawyer S.P.Sesay. The matter was adjourned to 3rd March, 2021.
