By: Audrey Raymonda John
23 years old Baimba Sesay a trader made his first appearance before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Ross Road Court No.1 in Freetown on a count of Fraudulent conversion Contrary to Section 20 (1) (iv) (a) of the Larceny Act 1916.
According to the particulars of offence sometimes in June 2023 at Peace Market, ferry junction the western area in Freetown Fraudulently converted to his own use or benefit certain property that is to say one hundred cups of Garri value four hundred and Ten Leone (Le 410.00) one black leader bag, one measure cup and one packet plastic bag all to the total sum of four hundred and sixty two thousand Leones (Le 462) entrusted to him by Salamatu Koroma for the purpose of sale.
Police Constable 9576 Ishmail Sesay lead Prosecution witness number one Salamatu Ramatu Koroma a poor Blind Business woman said she recognized the accused person in this matter.
She recalled sometimes in June 2023 the witness said on the said date the accused person was selling used cloth.
She bought three clothes from the accused person and they started discussion.
The witness said she told the accused person that he make her remember her late brother`s name who was Baimba.
The witness said the accused person came to her to give him one Leone he wanted to buy water which was given to him.
The witness said the accused person came to her pleaded with her to take him as her younger brother. The witness said he told the accused person that I don’t know you, later the accused person came with one man who told her that he married the sister of the accused person.
He doesn’t know the accused person for any bad attitude.
The witness said she told the accused person i have told you my condition the accused person pleaded with her.
She gave the accused person and her husband one Million Two hundred thousand Leones to buy a Bag of Garri which was brought by her husband and the accused person.
The witness said her husband measure hundred cups of the Garri in a big rubber and she handed over the hundred cups of Garri to the accused person for sale.
The witness said she told the accused person that I have told you my condition am blind and I don’t have nowhere to find you.
The accused person told her that he will not go anywhere he will go and sell the Garri and came for the remaining after then she didn’t see the accused person.
The witness said the waist purse and the hundred cups of garri cost four hundred and sixty two old Leones(462).
The witness said very early in the morning her son went to fetch water and he saw the accused person he asked for her money the accused person told her that he was seriously ill.
The witness said they took the accused person to PWD police post were statement was obtained from her the witness said the accused person only produced the rubber where she placed the Garri
Meanwhile, Magistrate Kekura refused bail and sent the accused person to the male correctional center in Freetown.
The matter was adjourned to the 8th August 2023 for further hearing.