By: Audrey Raymonda John
Four men Abubakarr Barrie, Alimamy Kamara, Aruna Rashid Koroma, and Muctaru Kamara have appeared before Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah of the Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown, facing allegations of conspiracy and fraudulent conversion.
The accused are charged with two counts: Conspiracy Contrary to Law and Fraudulent Conversion, contrary to Section 20(1)(iv)(b) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to police records, the first charge alleges that between 2018 and 2020, the accused conspired with others (whose identities are unknown) to commit a crime in Freetown. The second charge accuses the first defendant, Abubakarr Barrie, of fraudulently converting to his own use and benefit £20,300 (equivalent to Le 578,550) out of a total of £33,300 (equivalent to Le 949,050). The money was allegedly entrusted to Barrie by James Maitland for delivery to Pa Sidikie Koroma and members of the Koroma family. Barrie is accused of failing to deliver the full amount as intended, leading to the current charges.
The four men were charged following a police investigation, which found that the act amounted to a breach of trust and dishonest conversion.
When the charges were read and explained to the accused, no plea was taken, as the case is still at the preliminary investigation stage.
Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah granted bail to the accused and adjourned the case to 14th October 2025 for further proceedings.