By: Audrey Raymonda John
Magistrate Soa Mamakoh Betty Kallon, sitting at Pademba Road Court No. 3 in Freetown, has sentenced businessman Alex Conteh to two years in prison for obtaining money under false pretenses, contrary to Section 32 (1) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to police records, Conteh defrauded Sankoh Koroma on Sunday, April 20, 2025, at Spur Loop, Wilberforce. He falsely claimed he would purchase palm oil for Koroma, knowing this to be a lie, and in the process, obtained the sum of Ninety-Five Thousand Leones (Le95,000).
When the charge was read and explained to the defendant, he pleaded guilty. Magistrate Kallon then asked if any of his relatives were willing to repay the defrauded amount. The defendant mentioned his sister.
However, when the sister was called before the court, she stated that she was “not there to pay the said money.”
Given the severity of the offense and the absence of restitution, Magistrate Kallon sentenced Alex Conteh to two years in prison at the male correctional facility in Freetown.