By: Audrey Raymonda John
A man identified as Diouf Saliou has been charged before Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah of Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown for allegedly obtaining credit amounting to NLe236, 442 from Country Lodge Hotel under false pretenses and through fraudulent means.
Saliou is facing two counts under Section 13(1) of the Debtors Act, 1869.
The first count alleged that between 16 July and 1 September 2026, at HS 51, Hill Station, within the Western Area Judicial District, Saliou incurred a debt and obtained credit amounting to NLe236, 442, equivalent to approximately US$9,851.75, from Country Lodge Hotel under false pretenses.
The second count alleged that during the same period and at the same location, Saliou obtained credit valued at NLe236, 442 (US$9,851.75) from Country Lodge Hotel through fraudulent means other than false pretenses.
When the matter came before the court, Saliou was absent.
Counsel S. Bai, representing Country Lodge Hotel, applied for a bench warrant against the absent defendant pursuant to Section 25 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 2025.
Magistrate Jah granted the application and issued a bench warrant for Saliou.
The matter was adjourned to 16 September 2026 for further proceedings.