By: Audrey Raymonda John
A young man, Osman Japtay, has been committed to the High Court in Freetown to stand trial on a charge of fraudulent conversion, contrary to Section 20(1)(iv)(b) of the Larceny Act, 1916.
He was remanded at the Male Correctional Centre following committal proceedings before Magistrate Jah, who ruled that there was sufficient evidence for the matter to proceed to the High Court.
According to the charge, on 21 April 2026, at Lumley Street in the Western Area of Freetown, Japtay allegedly fraudulently converted to his own use the sum of US$12,000, equivalent to Le288,000, which had been entrusted to him by Abdul Rahman Barrie for delivery to Mohamed Bluba Jagitay.
When the charge was read and explained to the accused, no plea was taken, as the proceedings were for committal purposes rather than trial.
During the hearing, Detective Police Constable (DPC) 17649 Brima Kargbo informed the court that, at the accused’s first appearance, he had served him with copies of the case file and the police inquiry file. The prosecution subsequently called its witness before closing its case, after which the matter was adjourned for a ruling on committal.
Delivering his ruling, Magistrate Jah stated that, having carefully considered the evidence contained in the case file, he was satisfied that the prosecution had established a prima facie case warranting a trial before the High Court.
The magistrate further noted that the prosecution’s evidence had been taken in the presence of the accused and that he had been afforded the opportunity to cross-examine the witness.
Osman Japtay was accordingly committed to stand trial before the High Court in Freetown and remanded in custody at the Male Correctional Centre pending his next court appearance.