By: Audrey Raymonda John
Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Ross Road Magistrate Court No.1 yesterday sentenced Kadijatu Wai at the Female Correctional Centre at Pademba Road in Freetown or alternatively pays a fine of three thousand Leones (NLe3, 000) to the State.
Kadiejatu Wai appeared before the court on three counts charges of obtaining money by false pretenses contrary to the laws of Sierra Leone. When the charges were read to her, the defendant pleaded guilty on first count and denied both count two and three.
It was alleged that the defendant, on diverse dates between 31 October 2022 in Freetown, obtained fifty thousand Leones (NLe 50,000) from the complainant Aminta Bayoh feigning that she had cartons of fish (s) for sale knowing same to be false.
It was also alleged by the prosecuting counsel that the defendant, on diverse dates between 1 and 31 January 2022 in Freetown, obtained nine thousand Leones (NLe9, 000) from Aminata Bayoh pretending that she had cartons of fish for sale knowing same to be false.
The charge sheet indicates that the defendant, on the same dates and place obtained NLe20, 000 from the complainant totaling NLe79, 000 pretending that she had cartons of fish (s) for sale knowing same to be false.
In his plea of mitigation, Defense Counsel, M.A. Kamara representing the defendant, told the court that the convict is a first time offender and pleaded with the bench to temper justice with mercy.
Mr. Kamara informed the court that the defendant is a breadwinner of her family and as a matter of fact, he canvassed that the defendant to be given custodial sentence or alternative.
Responding, the prosecuting Counsel K.R. Swanneh said the conduct of the defendant is affront to the law, adding that it is almost two years she, the defendant ,had been given the opportunity to pay the said sum, but she had been given flimsy executes.
Mr. Swanneh told the court that the complainant’s business is in shambles and pleaded with the court to discountenance his learned colleague application. He prayed that the defendant to be sent at the Female Correctional Centre to be reformed.
Responding, Magistrate Kekura said having heard from the plea mitigation from the Defence Counsel, M.A Kamara and responses from the Prosecuting Counsel, K.R Swanneh, considering the seriousness of the offence, he sentenced the accused to two years imprisonment or alternatively pay a fine of three thousand (NLe3,000) to the State.
Magistrate Kekura adjourned the matter to 14th February 2023 for further examinations in chief on count two and three respectively.