By: Audrey Raymonda John
Magistrate Isata Sellu Tucker of Pademba road court No2 has on Thursday 18th May 2023 issued a bench warrant against three people, which includes Michael Forbie Director of Estate State House, William Forbie former SALCAB Engineer and Zaino Deen Karim Director of Finance Petroleum Directorate over an alleged 46 million old Leones Fraud.
They are brought by the former Director of SALCAB Daniel Sellu.
The defendants’ persons were charged to court on two counts charges of fraudulent conversion contrary to section 20(1)(iv)(a) of the Larceny Act, of 1916.
In count one, it was alleged that the defendants Michael Forbie, Williams Forbie and Zaino Deen Karim sometime between the 1st January 2020, and 31st December 2020, at Freetown, fraudulently converted to their own use or benefit tools, valued at Le46 million old Leones which was entrusted to them by the complainant Daniel Sellu herein, relying on representation made by them that he is investing in a fibre optic project for profit which is known same to be false.
Whiles count Two added that the defendants on the same dates and place fraudulently converted to their own use or benefit a Nissan Hard Body Pickup valued at 150 million old Leones which was entrusted to them by the complainant herein, relying on representation made by them that he is investing in a fibre optic project for profit knowing same to be false.
When the matter was mentioned by the complainant’s lawyer Charlie Williams, the defendants were absent.
In this circumstance, he applied for a bench warrant to be issued against them and for them to be present in court at the next adjourned date.
Magistrate Isata Sellu Tucker having listened to the application for a bench warrant, granted the application and issued a bench warrant against all three defendants.
Whiles the matter was adjourned to the 26th of May 2023 for further hearing.