By: Audrey Raymonda John
Twenty-five-year-old auto electrician Manso Kargbo and thirty-three-year-old businessman Daniel Conteh made their first appearance before Magistrate John Manso Fornah of Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown on two counts including fraudulent conversion, contrary to Section 20(1)(iv)(a) of the Larceny Act 1916, and Receiving Stolen Goods, contrary to Section 33(1) of the same Act.
According to the particulars of offence, on diverse dates between February and 23 March 2023, at Riverside Drive, Red Pump, off King Harman Road, Brookfields, in the Western Area of Freetown, the first defendant, Manso Kargbo, allegedly fraudulently converted to his own use property entrusted to him by Ibrahim Sayenu Siesay for the purpose of repairs. The items include:
One black 2013 BMW Series valued at USD 8,200 (equivalent to Le196,800), and one 2012 Acura MDX valued at USD 10,000 (equivalent to Le240,000), with a total value of Le436,800.
Count Two alleges that the second defendant, Daniel Conteh, on the same date and location, received the BMW 2013 series vehicle valued at USD 8,200 (Le196,800), knowing it to have been stolen.
When the charges were read and explained, no plea was taken for the first defendant, while the second defendant pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Deputy Superintendent of Police Sorie Conteh, requested a short adjournment to lead his witness.
Defence counsel A.K. Turay Esq. applied for bail for both defendants pursuant to Section 76(1)(c) of the Criminal Procedure Act 2024.
However, Magistrate Fornah refused bail, citing the seriousness of the offences. The matter was adjourned to 28 November 2025 for further hearing.