By: Audrey Raymonda John
Twenty seven years old Ade Idris a business man made another appearance before Magistrate Mark Ngegba of Pademba road court No.1 in Freetown on two count charges to wit Conspiracy to defraud contrary to law and Obtaining money by false pretences contrary to section 32 (1) of the Larceny Act 1916
According to the particulars of offence on a date unknown between 1st January 2020 to 25th April 2023 in Freetown with intent to defraud conspired together and with other persons unknown to commit a crime to wit Obtaining money by false pretences.
On count two the accused person on the same date and place with intent to defraud obtained the sum of one hundred and sixty four thousand five hundred united state dollars($164,500) equivalent to the sum in three million four hundred and forty eight thousand seven hundred Leones(3,448,700) from Stephen Bruce parent by falsely pretending that he has seventy eighty kilograms of gold for sale knowing same to be false.
Assistant Superintendent of police Ibrahim S Mansaray lead Prosecution witness number two Corporal 120576 Brima Koroma attached to the Anti-Fraud unit at the Criminal Investigation Department Cid headquarters Pademba Road Freetown he recognized the accused person as well as the complainant in the matter.
The witness said on the above date whilst on duty at the said office the complainant made report against the accused person and others the witness said he obtained statements from the complainant and her witnesses the witness said the complainant submitted twelve documents to him the said document was produce and tendered in court to form part of the court records.
The witness said based on the telephone number that was submitted to him they wrote a report to the cyber unit the request wrote to the cyber unit was also produced and tendered in court to form part of the court records on the 25th April 2023 the witness said the complainant came and explained to them irrespective of the old transaction upon that himself and Tamba Dauda together with the complainant went to Eco Bank the witness said himself and his colleague was at a corner wait by then they saw the accused person moving around the said bank the witness said the moment the complainant came out from the bank the accused person approached him on the same date himself and Bangura I D contemporaneously interview the accused person in krio language which was recorded in English language the statement was produce and tendered in court to form part of the court records
On the 2nd May 2023 his colleague Tamba Dauda went with the complainant at Kabala Town for inquiry about the mining company and to know whether the accused person was in prison at the Kabala Town the witness said during their investigation they didn’t find any information regarding the accused person was detained.
On the 7th May 2023 himself and Inspestor Isatu Deen Cole obtained additional caution statement from the accused person the witness said on the same date the accused person was caution and with the offence he is standing trial on the charge statement of the accused person was produce and tendered in court to form part of the court records.
The witness was cross examined by defense counsel A.T Turay.
Meanwhile Magistrate Ngegba adjourned the matter to the 21st August 2023 for further hearing bail continues for the accused person.