By: Audrey Raymonda John
A 41-year-old businessman, Mohamed Nicol, has been remanded at the male correctional facility in Freetown by Magistrate John Manso Fornah of Pademba Road Court No. 1 on a charge of obtaining money by false pretences.
The accused is charged under Section 32(1) of the Larceny Act 1916.
According to the particulars of the offence, on diverse dates between Wednesday, 1st January and 31st October 2025, at No. 11 Alusine Street, Juba Hill, in the Western Area, the defendant allegedly obtained a total sum of Le311,000 (three hundred and eleven thousand leones) from Victor Coker with intent to defraud. He reportedly claimed that he would provide a Canadian visa and facilitate travel to Canada, knowing the representation to be false.
When the charge was read and explained in court, the defendant pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Sorie Conteh, called its first witness, Victor Coker, a contractor. Coker told the court that he recognized the defendant through an intermediary identified as Mr. Desmond, also known as “The Gunners.” He recalled that during the stated period, he and his wife, Mariatu Coker, paid the accused the sum of Le311,000 as part of a supposed “Canadian programme.” He added that the defendant had initially requested a total payment of US$14,000 for the process.
At this stage, the prosecutor applied for a short adjournment to continue proceedings.
Defence counsel, M.A. Kamara Esq., applied for bail on behalf of the accused, submitting that he has reliable sureties willing to enter into recognizance and that he would not abscond. The application was made pursuant to Section 76(1) of the Criminal Procedure Act 2024.
However, Magistrate Fornah refused bail, citing the seriousness of the offence. The matter has been adjourned to 22nd April 2026 for further hearing.