By: Audrey Raymonda John
Luke Foromo Bereteh, a forty-six years old Guinea businessman, on Tuesday, 19th November 2024, made another appearance before magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court No.2 on two count charges of Conspiracy to Defraud – Contrary to Law and Obtaining Money By False Pretence Contrary to Section 32 (1) of the Larceny Act 1916
According to the particulars of the offense, on diverse dates between 1st January 2020 and 6th October 2024, in Freetown in the western area of the Republic of Sierra Leone, with intent to defraud, conspired together and with another person unknown to commit a crime, namely Obtaining Money by False Pretence.
Count two, further stated on the same date and place above with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of Three Hundred Thousand United States Dollars ($300,000), equivalent to Seven Hundred and Twenty Million Leones ( NLe 720,000,000) from Ishmael Kondeh, by false pretending that you are going to do mining on gold and returned same, knowing same to be false.
When the charges were read and explained to the accused person, he pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Deputy Superintendent of Police Sorie Conteh, sought a short adjournment date as his witness was absent.
Meanwhile, magistrate Bangura granted bail to the accused person in the sum of one billion Leones with two sureties in the western area who must be property owners, each valued at not less than half a Billion Leones. The sureties must also have operated bank accounts containing not less than half a Billion Leones. The Master and Registrar of the High Court will approve the bail. However, the case has been adjourned to the 4th of December, 2024.