By Audrey Raymonda John
In a courtroom scene at Pademba Road Court No.6 in Freetown, Sheika Conteh, a 27-year-old businessman, made his initial appearance before Magistrate Peter Brima Gogra. The charge against Conteh pertains to Fraudulent Conversion, as outlined in Section 20 (1) (iv) (a) of the Larceny Act 1916.
According to the presented details, the alleged incident occurred in December 2022 at Wallace Johnson Street, King Jimmy Market Public Toilet, in the Western Area of Freetown. It is claimed that Conteh, entrusted with a Tecno Carnon 17 premium mobile phone valued at four thousand Leones (4,000), purportedly converted the property for his own use or benefit. The phone was reportedly entrusted to him by Sulaiman Alie Bah, the complainant in the case.
Upon being informed of the charge, Conteh entered a plea of not guilty. With Deputy Superintendent of Police Marie Sesay seeking a brief adjournment to confer with her witness, the accused stood without legal representation during the proceedings.
In a decision regarding bail, Magistrate Gogra denied Conteh’s request and ordered him to be remanded in the Male Correctional Center in Freetown. The case has been adjourned until the 22nd of February, 2024, for further hearings.
The matter underscores the seriousness with which the judiciary is handling allegations of fraudulent activities, highlighting the need for thorough legal representation in such cases. As the legal process unfolds, it will be closely monitored to ensure justice is served.
