By: Audrey Raymonda John
Thirty-three-year-old Saio Turay, a surveyor, and thirty-year-old Fara Bangalie Kamara, also a surveyor, appeared before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown on four charges, including conspiracy and three counts of obtaining money by false pretenses. The charges are in violation of Section 32 (1) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the particulars of the offence, between May 1 and May 10, 2024, at the Youyi Building Canteen in the Western Area of Freetown, the two defendants allegedly conspired with others to commit a felony, specifically obtaining money by false pretenses.
Count two further alleges that on the same dates and at the same location, the accused obtained fifty thousand Leones (50,000) from Ansumana Conteh by falsely pretending to have land for sale at Grafton Highway, knowing this claim to be false.
Count three accuses the defendants of obtaining five thousand five hundred Leones (5,500) from Ansumana Conteh on May 1, 2024, at #7c Hill Cut Road, Wilberforce, by falsely claiming that they would prepare his land documents, also knowing this to be untrue.
Count four states that on the same date and place, the second defendant, Fara Bangalie Kamara, obtained two thousand Leones (2,000) from Ansumana Conteh by falsely claiming to have surveyed his one-and-a-half town lot at Grafton Highway, which was also untrue.
When the charges were read and explained to the defendants, no plea was entered during their first appearance.
The Prosecutor, Deputy Superintendent of Police Sorie Conteh, applied for a bench warrant against the first defendant, Saio Turay, and his sureties.
During the proceedings, the surety for the second defendant, Fara Bangalie Kamara, informed the court that she wished to withdraw her suretyship for him. Magistrate Fornah granted this request and remanded Kamara to the male correctional facility in Freetown. The bench warrant remains in force against the absent first defendant and his sureties.
The case has been adjourned to October 22, 2025.