By: Audrey Raymonda John
The ongoing alleged fraud case involving 42-year-old businessman Sheka Kargbo continued on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, as he was arraigned before Magistrate John Manso Fornah of Pademba Road Court No. 2 on two charges: conspiracy to defraud and obtaining money by false pretenses.
According to the particulars of the offence, between July 1 and October 1, 2025, in Freetown, Western Area, Republic of Sierra Leone, Kargbo conspired with other unknown persons to commit fraud by obtaining money under false pretenses. The second charge states that on the same date and location, Kargbo fraudulently obtained $17,500 (USD) from the complainant.
The prosecution, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police Dialla Wellington, called its first witness, Lateef Belo Osagic, an economist. Osagic recognized the defendant, recalling that he had met Kargbo at the Youyi Building. He testified that on July 1, 2025, his brother-in-law introduced him to Mr. Frank Belo and Malick Kuyateh, who claimed to have conducted business with Kargbo, specifically involving gold.
Osagic further explained that the introduction was meant to start a business venture in Sierra Leone. On September 22, 2025, he arrived in Sierra Leone and met with Malick to discuss taxes related to exports and licensing. Malick introduced him to an individual named John Koroma, who was presented as an export agent. Together, they went to the Ministry of Mines to pay the required 3% government tax.
Osagic said they then went to the Youyi Building with the intention of meeting the Minister of Mines, but instead encountered a man who claimed to be a Ministry staff member. This individual accepted their payment for the 3% government tax and issued a receipt. He also received the sum of $17,500 (USD) for the tax payment.
Later, Osagic stated that they went to the National Mines Agency (NMA) in New England Ville, where Malick stayed in the car while Osagic went inside. When he returned, Malick was no longer in the car, and his phone was switched off. They continued their search for Malick at the NMA but were unsuccessful. They then returned to the Youyi Building, where they realized that the whole transaction had been fraudulent.
Osagic and his colleagues reported the matter to the police and contacted their law firm, which accompanied them to the police station at the CID headquarters in Freetown. The police then visited the Youyi Building, but the alleged fraudulent staff member was no longer there. The following day, the defendant was arrested at the Youyi Building and taken to the CID for further investigation.
The defendant’s counsel, S.M. Kargbo, cross-examined the complainant and adopted his previous bail application. However, Magistrate Fornah refused bail due to the serious nature of the charges and remanded Kargbo to the male correctional facility in Freetown. The case has been adjourned to November 3, 2025, for the continuation of his trial.