By: Audrey John
31yrs old Chernoh Mamadu Jalloh a business man made another appearance before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Pademba road court No.1 in Freetown on two count charges to wit Conspiracy to defraud contrary to law and Obtaining money by false pretences contrary to the section 32 (1) of the Larceny Act 1916.
According to the particulars of offence on dates unknown between 1st to 20th September 2021 at Sackville Street the western area in Freetown with intent to defraud conspired with other persons unknown to commit a felony to wit Obtaining money by false pretences on count two at the same place and date the accused person with intent to defraud obtained the sum of three thousand united States dollars ($3000) equivalent to the sum of thirty nine million six hundred thousand Leones(39,600,000) from Kadiatu Kamara by falsely pretending that you will facilitate her travelling from Sierra Leone to Canada knowing same to be false.
The charges were read and explained to the accused person who pleaded not guilty.
Led in evidence by Dpc Turay H.B, the second prosecution witness (PW2) Sheku Sannoh a supervisor at matrix Mecurity Agency said he knew the complainant and the accused person as he used to collect money at his bureau.
PW2 said he recalled on 1st to 20th September 2021 something transpired between the complainant and the accused person, the witness said the complainant is his sister-in-law who went to the accused together with the complainant by then he have informed the complainant that the accused person has a program that will take people to overseas.
The witness said the accused person told the complainant the money involves in traveling to Canada which was eight thousand five hundred United States dollars and they agreed on eight thousand United States dollars. PW2 adds that the accused told them him that the time frame for the visa is five months and he requested for three thousand united States dollars to process the document and the visa, the witness said himself and the complainant went again to the shop of the accused person where the complainant gave the sum of three thousand united States dollars to the accused person in his presence; the accused counted the money and confirmed to them that it is three thousand united States dollars.
The witness said the complainant demanded that the accused person should give her receipt of which the accused person issued receipt to the complainant.
PW2 said after five months he asked the accused person the progress with regards the trip to Canada the accused person told them to exercise patience.
“The complainant didn’t travel to Canada nor did the accused person refund the three thousand United States dollars”, PW2 said.
He said he later made statement at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters Pademba Road Freetown.
Cross examination by the defense counsel A.R Kargbo I am putting it to you that the accused person never told the complainant that she will get the visa within five months; the witness said the accused person said that, did you know of anybody whom the accused person have sent to overseas, the witness replied that was what the accused person said, all what you said here is not true, the witness said his testimony was the truth.
The defense counsel renewed his previous Bail applications on behalf of the accused person.
Magistrate Kekura granted the accused person bail in the sum of one hundred thousand Leones or one surety in like sum surety must be elderly and responsible citizen surety must also be gainfully employed at a reputable institution the surety should come with employment letter including the identity the card of that institution the surety must be resident in Freetown the surety should show proof of his or her residential Status; bail to be verified by the Bench and to be approved by the Deputy assistant Registrar.
Matter adjourned to 17th August 2022 for further hearing.
