By: Audrey Raymonda John
A former civil servant of the correctional center, Bassiru Mohamed Rogers residing at Approve School has narrated before magistrate Sahr Kekura of Ross Road Court number one how his colleagues was defrauded by his caretaker building materials worth over eighteen thousand Leones.
Samuel Momoh Bockarie was charged to court for Fraudulent Conversion contrary to section 20(1)(iv) of the larceny Act of 1916.
It was alleged that on Saturday 1st of April 2023, at Approved School Wellington, the accused fraudulently converted to his own use and benefits building materials worth eighteen thousand nine hundred and sixty eight Leones entrusted to him by complainant Rashid Bainda for the purpose of safe keeping.
Taking the witness stand and led by police Constable 19576 Ishmael Sesay, the witness said he knows complainant formally working at the correctional center and the accused as the caretaker in the house which complainant was building.
He said on Saturday 1st April 2023, he was at home in the morning when he saw a car approaching and complainant highlighted for it and informed him about the material he has bought to complete his house.
The witness said he instructed for the materials to be offloaded and during the process he sent his child to go and enquire as to whether the accused was around.
He said he was still stand when the accused surfaced and joined those who are offloading the items after which they were checked in the presence of the accused and put them in care of him.
Explaining further at the dock, the witness said later complainant and the accused went to him and he advised the accused to be watchful of the items placed under his responsibility.
He said sometimes later an incident occurred which made him to make statement at the approve school police post.
Cross examining the witness, the accused asked what was in the vehicle on that he said they offloaded. Responding to the accused, the witness said the items include cartoon of tiles, iron rods, and other building materials. The witness further stated in cross examination that all what he said in his examination in chief was the truth.
The accused challenged the witness that , on the date the items were offloaded he did not sent anyone to call him, but the witness responded that he indeed sent his son to do same.
“I am aware of all the transactions between you and the complainant”, the witness said.
At the end of cross examination, magistrate Kekura adjourned the matter to the 8th of August 2023 and ordered the accused to be remanded at the male correctional center.