By: Audrey Raymonda John
Rashid Bangura a business man made his first appearance before Magistrate Peter Brima Gogra of Pademba road court No.6 in Freetown on a private criminal sermons on one count charge to wit Obtaining Goods by False pretenses contrary to section 32 (1) of the Larceny Act 1916
Accordingly to the particulars of offence on diverse dates between 1st to 31st July 2021 at Hill Cut Road the western area in Freetown with intent to defraud certain properties that is to say one Nissan Vannet Vehicle with registration number ALB 141 valued the sum of twenty four thousand Leones and promise to pay the said amount for the vehicle to the complainant Tamba Sandi, knowing same to be false.
The charge was read and explained to the accused person and he pleaded not guilty.
Counsel representing the accused person P.D Kamara lead Prosecution witness number one Tamba Sandi a Mechanic said he recognized the accused person.
He came to know him as a result of his Nissan Vannet vehicle in July 2021 he recalled on the said Month something transpired between himself and the accused person.
The witness said he had the said vehicle one chief Sinnah approached him and asked him about the problem of the vehicle which he explained to him and the said chief Sinnah introduced the accused person to him the accused person came and watched and examined the vehicle.
The witness said he told the accused person that he want the sum of thirty five million Leones for the Vehicle the agreed on the sum of twenty four million Leones the witness said the accused person agreed to pay the said amount in installment.
The witness said he handed over the vehicle to the accused person the chief Sinnah and other persons were present the witness said the accused person failed to pay his money and he didn’t receive his vehicle.
Counsel representing the accused person Hassan Thullah applied for bail for and on behalf of the accused person that he is a Sierra Leonean resident within this jurisdiction.
And that he has reliable sureties who are willing and ready to go into recognisance on his behalf and he will not interfere with prosecution witness or witnesses nor will he jump bail.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Gogra granted the accused person bail in the sum of thirty million Leones with two sureties in like sum sureties to be resident in the western area.
Sureties to produce valid identity card depicting his or her address in Freetown.
One surety to be employed bail to be approved by the Bench.
The matter is adjourned to the 3rd March 2023 for further hearing.