By: Audrey Raymonda John
A businessman, Ibrahim Hawa Conteh, has appeared in court on five counts of obtaining money by false pretences, contrary to Section 32(1) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the particulars of offence, the accused allegedly, on 1 August 2025, at Rokel Commercial Bank on Siaka Stevens Street, in the Western Area of Freetown, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of Le30,000 from Captain Dr Ibrahim Khalil Swarray by falsely representing that the money would be invested in a microfinance business known as “Leh Wi Grow,” knowing the representation to be false.
Count two further alleges that on the same date, at No. 2A Hill Cut Road, Western Area, Freetown, the accused, with intent to defraud, obtained Le47,000 from the same complainant under the same false pretence.
In count three, it is alleged that on 2 August 2025, at Rokel Commercial Bank, Siaka Stevens Street, the accused obtained Le8,000 from Captain Dr Swarray under the same false representation.
Count four states that on 7 August 2025, at the same bank, the accused obtained Le10,000 from the complainant by falsely claiming the money would be invested in the said microfinance business.
Count five further alleges that on 8 August 2025, at No. 2A Hill Cut Road, the accused obtained Le5,016 from the complainant under the same false pretence.
When the charges were read and explained to the accused, no plea was taken.
The prosecution, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police Ibrahim S. Mansaray, applied for short adjournment.
Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah adjourned the matter to 17 December 2025, with bail continued for the accused.