By: Audrey Raymonda John
39yrs old Kewellay Garba made his first appearance before Magistrate Peter Gogra of Pademba road court No.6 in Freetown on four court charges ranging from Obtaining money by false pretenses contrary to section 32 (1) of the Larceny Act 1916
According to the particulars of offence, on a date unknown between 7th to 10 May 2022 at Nafia Internet café Aberdeen in the western area of Freetown, the convict with intent to defraud obtained the sum of one thousand united States dollars equivalent to eighteen thousand, three hundred new Leones(18,300) from Elizabeth Brewa by falsely pretending that he had a scholarship program to facilitate her study in the United States of America knowing same to be false.
On count two on a date unknown between 1st to 30 June 2022 at Wellington western area in Freetown, the accused with intent to defraud obtained the sum of two thousand united States dollars equivalent to thirty six thousand, six hundred new Leones(36,600) from Elizabeth Brewa on behalf of Mariama Kadijah Kamara by falsely pretending that he had a scholarship program to facilitate her study in the United States of America knowing same to be false. On count three on a date unknown between 1st to 30th June 2022 at Nafia Internet Café Aberdeen with intent to defraud obtained the sum of two thousand united States dollars equivalent to thirty six thousand, six hundred new Leones(36,600) from Mariama Kamara by falsely pretending that he had a scholarship program to facilitate her study in the United States of America knowing same to be false
On count four on a date unknown between 1st to 30th June 2022 at Ross Road the western area in Freetown, the same accused with intent to defraud obtained the sum of fourteen thousand six hundred Leones(14,600) from Mustapha Kamara by falsely pretending that he had a scholarship program to facilitate his study in the United States of America knowing same to be false
The prosecutor Assistant Superintendent of police M. Barrie told the bench that his witness is absent and therefore, sought for a short adjournment date.
Counsel representing the accused person W. Gaber applied for bail for and on behalf of the accused person that he is a Sierra Leonean resident within this jurisdiction that he has reliable sureties who are willing and ready to go into recognizance on his behalf he will not interfere with prosecution or witnesses. He made his application pursuant to section 79 2 of the Criminal procedure Act No.32 of 1965
Meanwhile, Magistrate Gogra granted the accused person bail in the sum of fifty million Leones with two sureties in like sum sureties to be resident in the western area both sureties to produce valid national passport for identification, both sureties to be employed in a government institution in Sierra Leone, and both sureties to be 55yrs and above in order for the bail to be approved by the Bench. The matter was adjourned to the 21st November 2022 for further hearing.