By :Audery John
Rugiatu Lahai a nurse based in the United States of America has on Friday 30 September 2022 narrated in court how she was duped over 1 billion Leones by one Alhaji Sorie Conteh.
The accused Alhaji Sorie Conteh was arraigned in court on six counts related charges of fraudulent conversion contrary to section 21(4a) of the larceny Act 1916.
According to the charges, it was alleged that the accused on diverse dates between May 2019 and December 2020 in Bo Town, Bo Kakuwa fraudulently converted to his own use and benefit certain properties that is to say, 29 bleach wash, 21 big sizes mattresses, five big sizes carpet, wall tiles, steel doors, wooden doors and other assorted items all to the total value of one billion, two hundred and sixty two million, two hundred and ten thousand Leone properties entrusted to him by Rugiatu Lahai for the purpose of sale.
No plea was taken when the charges were read and explain to the accused.
The complainant Rugiatu Lahai led in evidence by ASP Christina Davis Cole Esq said she is a Nurse based in the USA.
She said she came to know the accused in 2019 when he was introduced to her and further recalled some times in May 2019 and December 2020.
“Sometimes in 2019, my nice husband called me in respect of the accused but prior to that I use to ship containers to Sierra Leone and that during that conversation, the accused request me to send container for him which I promised to do”, she said
Madam Lahai added that one week later, the first container arrived and that he called the accused and informed him about the said container which she sent to one Mr Daboh, adding that upon that information the accused received from her, he went to Mr Daboh with 10 million Leones in respect of the goods that were in the container but said they supply him with items worth more than 10M.
The witness said after their first transaction, she has been shipping containers worth of goods to the accused to the total valued $18,61 dollars equivalent to 1 billion 262 million, 210 thousand Leones.
“Since I sent these containers to the accused I have not received anything from him, I also request him to open a shop for me and I gave him $7 dollars and another container and there is an agreement in respect to that”, the witness narrated.
The witness said she made statement to the police in respect of the matter.
The accused who was unrepresented by a legal counsel in court cross examined the complainant in respect to her testimony.
Magistrate Ngegba refused bail and remand the accused in prison whiles the matter was adjourned to 5 October 2022 for further hearing.