By: Audrey John
24yrs old Bockarie Kanneh 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) (a) of the Larceny Act 1916.
According to the particulars of the offence on Sunday 8th, August 2021 at Juba Bridge Lumley the western area in Freetown fraudulently converted to his use or benefit certain property that is to say one tricycle with registration number APP 942 valued thirty million Leones (30,000,000) entrusted to him by Rev. Raymond Cocker for commercial riding property of the Freetown city council
The charge was read and explained to the accused person on his first appearance and pleaded not guilty.
Led in evidence by Inspector Musu Edna Kpulun third prosecution witness (PW3) inspector Sylvanus Sawdy attached to the Criminal Investigation Department CID headquarters Pademba said he recognized the accused person in the dock and know the complainant in respect of this matter.
The witness said he recalled on 23rd October 2021 that he was on duty when the complainant arrested and brought in the accused person the witness said the complainant made a report of fraudulent conversion.
He obtained statements from the complainant and witnesses on the 23rd of October 2021 Inspector Mansaray obtained a voluntary caution statement from the accused person.
PW3 said he cautioned and questioned the witnesses in Krio language and recorded it down in English at the end the statement was read over and explained to the accused person which he admitted to being true and correct by afflicting his right-hand thumbprint witness by Inspector Mansaray S and he signed as the recorder since then the statement has been in the custody of the police it was produced and tendered marks as F1-8.
On the 26th of October 2021, Inspector A. Amara obtained a charge statement from the accused person he was cautioned and questioned in Krio language which was recorded in English at the end, it was read over and explained to the accused person’s witness by Inspector A. Amara and signed as the recorder the charge states of the accused person produced and tendered and marked as exhibit E1-2.
The prosecution closed their case.
However, Magistrate Gogra giving his ruling said having looked at the evidence he is of the view that the prosecution has adduced sufficient evidence to warrant a committal of the high court for trial and admitted the accused person to twenty million Leones bail with two sureties in like sum surety must be resident in the western area sureties to produce valid identity card on the surety to be employed bail to be approved by the Deputy Assistant Registrar, Matter Committed.
