By: Audrey Raymonda John
Magistrate Brima Jah of Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown has committed the case involving Fatmata Marah, alias Evergreen, to the High Court for the continuation of trial on allegations of larceny and fraudulent conversion.
According to court records, the accused is facing two counts of larceny and fraudulent conversion, contrary to the Larceny Act of 1916.
On the first count, the prosecution alleged that on 12 May 2023, in Freetown within the Freetown Judicial District of the Western Area, Fatmata Marah stole the sum of Two Hundred and Twenty-Five Thousand Nine Hundred New Leones (NLe225,900) from a Rokel Commercial Bank Sim Korpor account. The money was reportedly intended for daily Sim Korpor financial transactions.
On the second count, the prosecution alleged that between 16 June 2024 and September 2024, at Calaba Town in Freetown, the accused fraudulently converted to her own use various items entrusted to her by Hawa Thorlie for delivery.
The items allegedly converted include 45 George materials, 28 sets of women’s Ashoke cloths, 10 sets of men’s Ashoke cloths, Sego head ties in various colours, several coral bead strings, hand fans of different types, caps, chains, hooks, beads, fishing lines, and other assorted materials. The total value of the items is estimated at One Hundred and Thirty Thousand One Hundred and Eighty-Four New Leones (NLe130,184).
Court records further indicated that the items were handed over to the accused for delivery in Freetown but were allegedly converted for her personal use instead.
During the proceedings, Magistrate Jah stated that he had carefully considered the evidence presented by the prosecution and was satisfied that a prima facie case had been established against the accused.
He subsequently ruled that the matter be committed to the High Court for the continuation of trial.
The accused remains on bail pending her appearance before the High Court.