May 20, 2021
By: Audrey John
Counsel defending Abdul Wahab Kargbo aka capitalist, the second accused on the one hundred and three thousand United State Dollars fraud matter Hindolo Moiwo Gavao has informed the court that he intend to open defence on behalf of his client.
The defendant in the above matter was sometime arraigned before the then Magistrate of court No.1 Hannah Bonnie with three other including Michael Tunde Williams, Moses Osman Sesay and a South African lady Neo Sesay.
They were charged for conspiracy to defraud obtaining money by false pretenses and causing money to be paid to another with intent to defraud.
It was alleged that between August and September 2020 the accused persons conspired with other persons unknown to defraud Francisco Rodolfos Palacios a Turkish national, the sum of one hundred and three thousand United state dollars equivalent to one billion three hundred million Leones for thirty kilograms of Gold.
During preliminary stage, the third and fourth accused persons Moses Osman Sesay and Neo Sesay after securing bail complied to pay the complainant what they received as part of the deal.
The Court continued with the matter of the first and second accused persons, Michael Tunde Williams and Abdul Wahab Kargbo aka capitalist who are presently before magistrate Mark Ngegba of Pademba road court No.2 both accused persons from the onset denied receiving money from complainant.
At the close of the prosecution’s case counsel representing the first accused person C. Campbell informed the bench that he relied on the statement his client made to the police during investigation.
Counsel representing the second accused Hindolo Moiwo Gavao on behalf of his client said he will like to open defence.
Shortly after the matter was mentioned state Counsel J.S Tucker told the Bench that he has informed counsel for the second defendant about the date the matter is coming up.
State Counsel J.S Tucker further stated that Counsel for the second defendant has failed vehemently to come and made progress on the matter.
After listening to the submission of state Counsel J.S Tucker, Magistrate Mark Ngegba adjourned the matter to the 24th of May 2021 for ruling.