By: Audrey Raymonda John
Magistrate Mustapha Briama Jah of Pademba Road Court No. 1 has sentenced a 37-year-old building contractor, Osman Jalloh, to two years’ imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to four fraud-related offences involving the alleged sale of a parcel of land at Masimbo, Regent, Freetown.
Jalloh was convicted on three counts of Obtaining Money by False Pretences, contrary to Section 32(1) of the Larceny Act 1916, and one count of Causing Money to be Paid, contrary to Section 32(2) of the same Act.
According to the particulars of the offences, on February 4, 2026, at No. 1 Samuel Drive, Wilberforce, Freetown, Jalloh obtained Le30,000 from David Onipe Augustine by allegedly falsely representing that he had a parcel of land at Masimbo, Regent, for sale, knowing the representation to be false.
The second count alleged that on February 16, 2026, at the same location, Jalloh obtained Le37,500 from Desireemarg Black Augustine Esq. by falsely representing that he had a parcel of land at Masimbo, Regent, for sale.
The third count stated that on March 6, 2026, Jalloh obtained a further Le20, 500 from Desireemarg Black Augustine Esq. under the same alleged false representation concerning the purported sale of the land.
The fourth count alleged that on March 13, 2026, Jalloh caused Desireemarg Black Augustine Esq. to pay Le5, 600 to Daniel Umar Kabba Bangura for the surveying of the parcel of land at Masimbo, Regent, which Jalloh had allegedly represented as his own.
When the charges were read and explained to him, Jalloh pleaded guilty to all four counts.
During the proceedings, the prosecutor, Deputy Superintendent of Police Eric A. Deen Esq., told the court that the facts supported the charges. He also informed the court that Jalloh had no previous criminal record and was a first-time offender.
Jalloh, who was not legally represented, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy.
In his judgment, Magistrate Jah noted the prosecution’s submission that Jalloh was a first-time offender and had pleaded for mercy. However, the magistrate said he was minded to impose a custodial sentence.
Magistrate Jah subsequently sentenced Osman Jalloh to two years’ imprisonment at the Male Correctional Facility in Freetown.