By: Audrey Raymonda John
Michael Jessie Kargbo, a 26-year-old Kekeh rider, has been sentenced to four years in prison after being convicted of fraudulent conversion. He made his final appearance before Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah at Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown, where he was charged under Section 20(1)(iv)(a) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the particulars of the offence, on Saturday, May 31, 2025, in Campbell Lane, Western Area, Freetown, Kargbo fraudulently converted to his own use or benefit several items entrusted to him. These included one Kekeh license, a slidable table-less Keke rim, three sets of Keke floorboards, Keke tire side covers, and other assorted items, all valued at a total of 7,396 Leones. These items had been entrusted to him by Suliaman Bah for the purpose of commercial riding.
When the charge was read and explained to Kargbo, he pleaded not guilty.
he prosecution presented the facts of the case and the defendant’s criminal record. The convict was given the opportunity to plead for mercy. However, Magistrate Jah, after hearing the submissions, stated that he was not inclined to offer an alternative sentence. Instead, he imposed a custodial sentence, emphasizing that the charge of fraudulent conversion had been escalated from a preliminary investigation to a summary trial with the defendant’s consent.
As a result, Kargbo was sentenced to four years of imprisonment.