By: Audrey Raymonda John
Pius Mohamed Lumeh, a businessman, appeared before Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah at Pademba Road Court No. 1 on charges of Conspiracy to Defraud and Obtaining Money by False Pretence, contrary to Section 32(1) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the charge sheet, between August and September 2023, at Jui, Freetown, Lumeh, with intent to defraud, allegedly conspired with others unknown and obtained US$8,800. He reportedly did so by falsely representing that he would facilitate an overseas travel programme for his son, Noah Gbetuwa, to Australia for employment opportunities, while knowing that the representation was false.
When the charges were read, no plea was taken.
Sergeant 9939 Mohamed Lahai led the prosecution. Detective Police Constable 17345 Alpha Janneh, attached to TOCU, testified that he recognized the accused. On 26 August 2025, while on duty, the complainant arrested and brought in Lumeh. The supervising officer, Sergeant Tarawali M., subsequently allocated the matter to Janneh for further investigation.
Janneh stated that on 27 August, a statement was obtained from the complainant reporting the offenses of conspiracy to defraud and obtaining money by false pretences. Receipts, an Australian visa, and a ticket were also presented and tendered in court as exhibits.
On 29 August, Janneh and Sergeant 11742 Tarawali obtained a voluntary caution statement from the defendant. The statement was read and explained to him in Krio, and Lumeh confirmed it to be true by appending his right-hand thumbprint.
Further, a request for legal advice was submitted and tendered in court. On 27 September, a formal charge statement was obtained from the defendant, witnessed by Detective Sergeant 11742, with Janneh signing as the recorder.
Considering the gravity of the offense, Magistrate Jah remanded Pius Mohamed Lumeh to Pademba Road Correctional Centre and adjourned the matter to 3 December 2025.