By: Audrey Raymonda John
David Sesay, a 22-year-old bike rider, was arraigned before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No.2 in Freetown, facing charges of fraudulent conversion, contrary to Section 20 (I)(iv)(a) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the prosecution, on 23 August 2025, at Quarie, Wilkinson Road, in the Western Area of Freetown, Sesay allegedly fraudulently converted a Samsung A05 mobile phone, valued at six thousand five hundred leones (NLe 6,500), which had been entrusted to him by Alpha Umaru Bah for safekeeping.
When the charge was read and explained to the defendant, no plea was entered.
The prosecution, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Sorie Conteh, called its second witness, Bilor Jalloh, a driver, who testified that he recognized both the complainant (Alpha Umaru Bah) and the defendant. Jalloh recalled an incident on 23 August 2025 at Quarry Junction, where the defendant was sent to call a mechanic for his vehicle. After the mechanic checked the vehicle, Jalloh said he gave the defendant his phone.
Jalloh further testified that he called the defendant later, and Sesay answered, saying he was on his way. However, after that call, the defendant switched off his phone and failed to show up. For three days, Jalloh attempted to contact the defendant without success. Eventually, Jalloh managed to arrest Sesay and questioned him about the missing phone. Sesay reportedly claimed that he had left the phone at Congo Cross, which Jalloh did not believe.
Jalloh then took the defendant to the police station, where they met the complainant, Alpha Umaru Bah. The complainant later made a statement at the police station.
At the time of the hearing, the defendant was not legally represented.
Magistrate Fornah remanded David Sesay and sent him to the Male Correctional Centre in Freetown. The case has been adjourned to 30 October 2025 for further proceedings.