By: Audrey Raymonda John
Twenty-one-year-old businessman, Chernor Billor Balde, has been remanded at the Male Correctional Centre in Freetown after appearing before Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah at the Pademba Road Magistrate Court No. 1.
Balde is facing three counts of unauthorized access to a computer system, contrary to Section 33(1) of the Cyber Security and Crime Act, 2021 (Act No. 7 of 2021); unauthorized data interference, contrary to Section 36(b) of the same Act; and larceny, contrary to Section 2 of the Larceny Act, 1916.
According to the particulars of the offence, on Friday, August 14, 2026, at Bottom Mango, Wilberforce, in the Western Area of Freetown, the accused allegedly intentionally and without authorization caused a computer system to perform a function by fraudulently transferring Le2, 200 through the Orange Money application.
The prosecution alleged that the money was transferred from telephone number 072375748 to numbers 073735028 and 073958350.
The second count alleged that, on the same date and at the same place, Balde intentionally and without authorization rendered data ineffective.
The third count states that the accused allegedly stole Le2, 200 from the Orange Money account of Foday Marrah, property belonging to Marrah.
During proceedings, the prosecutor, DPC 23305 Aminata Suliamatu Mansaray, informed the court that she had served the accused with copies of the case and inquiry files.
Balde admitted receiving the documents.
Magistrate Jah subsequently refused bail, citing the seriousness of the alleged offences, and remanded the accused at the Male Correctional Centre.
The matter was adjourned to September 16, 2026, for further proceedings.