By: Audrey Raymonda John
Isata Favour Benya, a 24-year-old travel agent with Findlay Travel Sierra Leone Limited, made her first appearance before Magistrate Augustine Brima Samura at Court No. 8 on Pademba Road, Freetown, on multiple fraud-related charges.
Benya is facing six counts, including one count of conspiracy to commit a crime and five counts of obtaining money by false pretence, contrary to Section 32(1) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the particulars of the offences, between January 1st and May 14th, 2025, at No. 1 Alcock Street in the Western Area of Freetown, the accused conspired with unknown individuals to obtain money by false pretence.
Count 2: Benya allegedly defrauded Zainab Bangura of $1,300 (Le 36,540) by pretending she would provide an air ticket to China via Ethiopian Airlines.
Count 3: She allegedly defrauded Isha Conteh of $1,510 (Le 36,540) using the same false claim.
Count 4: Mary Lynch, a businesswoman, was allegedly deceived out of $1,496 (Le 36,000) under similar pretences.
Count 5: Isata Sesay reportedly paid $1,585 (Le 38,200) for a fake ticket.
Count 6: Sheka Hamza Bangura was allegedly scammed of $1,400 (Le 33,600).
The accused purported that all these payments were for legitimate airline tickets to China via Ethiopian Airlines, knowing the claims were false.
During the hearing, Detective Police Constable 14898 Joseph Lamin Dumbuya led the second prosecution witness, Mary Lynch, in her testimony. Lynch identified the accused as the person who sold her and others the fraudulent tickets.
She recalled that between May 1st and 14th, she was introduced to the accused by her business partner, Augusta Kamara, as someone who could help with ticket bookings. Lynch paid an initial \$500 and later completed the payment of \$996 after the accused presented what appeared to be a valid ticket with Lynch’s name on it. She was told that the ticket itself was proof of payment, though no formal receipt was issued.
Lynch said she had no technical knowledge of verifying digital tickets and was reassured by the presence of her name. She later referred her friend, Isata, who also paid for a ticket. However, both women discovered at the airport that their tickets were fake. After failed attempts to contact Benya, Lynch reported the matter to Eastern Police Station, where she gave a full statement.
The alleged fake ticket was presented in court and marked as Exhibit B1–3.
The accused did not take a plea during the initial hearing. Magistrate Samura denied bail, citing the serious nature of the offences, and ordered Benya to be remanded at the Female Correctional Centre in Freetown.
The case was adjourned to July 15, 2025, for further proceedings.