By: Audrey Raymonda John
Twenty-seven-year-old Andrew Kai O’John, a businessman, made his first appearance before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown on a charge of fraudulent conversion, contrary to Section 20 (1) (iv) (a) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the particulars of the offense, in June 2024, at Walpole Street in the Western Area, O’John allegedly fraudulently converted to his own use or benefit a red Mercury machine with serial number 4827, valued at 27,500 Leones, which had been entrusted to him by Mohamed Lappia for commercial purposes.
When the charge was read and explained to the accused, no plea was taken.
Sergeant 3379 T. Ballay led prosecution witness number one, Mohamed Lappia, a military officer, who testified that he met the accused around Walpole Street. Lappia recalled that sometime in June 2024, the accused approached him and proposed a business deal. The accused asked him to purchase a Mercury machine for him, claiming he had a specific machine available. Lappia agreed and purchased the machine for 27,500 Leones, which he handed over to O’John. They agreed that the machine would be paid for in installments—50,000 Leones in total, with monthly payments of 5,000 Leones for one year.
Lappia stated that the accused made a partial payment of 3,000 Leones in September 2024. However, since then, O’John had not made any further payments, despite several requests. Additionally, the accused had not returned the Mercury machine. Lappia reported the matter to the Mercury officer and later to the police station.
The witness was cross-examined by A.N.D. Musa Esq., who also applied for bail on behalf of the accused.
Magistrate Bangura, however, denied bail, citing the seriousness of the charge and the possibility that the accused could flee. O’John was remanded to the Male Correctional Facility in Freetown. The case was adjourned to March 12, 2025.
