By: Audrey Raymonda John
Augustine Kanssie Madingo appeared before Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah at Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown on a one-count charge of obtaining money by false pretences, contrary to Section 32(1) of the Larceny Act, 1916.
According to the indictment, between 2024 and 2025, at Godrich, Freetown, the defendant, with intent to defraud, obtained forty-eight thousand leones (Le48,000) from Moses Aiah Komba by falsely claiming that he had zinc for sale, knowing this to be untrue.
Because the offence is indictable, no plea was taken.
During proceedings, Inspector Mabel M. Tarawally led the prosecution. Witness Alimamy Kamara (PDC 17809) of the Criminal Department testified that he recognized the defendant. He recounted that on 5 May 2025, while on duty at the Criminal Investigating Department, Pademba Road, the complainant reported the matter. Kamara was assigned the investigation and obtained statements from the complainant and witnesses on 9 January 2026. The defendant was subsequently arrested, with the arrest warrant admitted as Exhibit-A.
Between 9 and 12 January 2026, Kamara, together with Detective Police 11676 Kamara A.I., obtained a voluntary cautioned statement from the defendant. The defendant was cautioned and questioned in Krio, with the statement recorded in English. Upon completion, it was read and explained to him, and he acknowledged it as true by appending his right-hand thumbprint. This statement was admitted as Exhibit B-16.
On 13 January 2026, the defendant was formally charged with fraudulent conversion. The charge statement, recorded in English, was read and explained to him, and he confirmed it as true by appending his thumbprint, after which it was admitted into court records.
The defendant is currently on remand at the Male Correctional Facility, and the case has been adjourned to 3 February 2026.