By: Audrey Raymonda John
Pius Mohamed Lumeh, a civil engineer, on Wednesday made another appearance before Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah of Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown, facing two counts of conspiracy to defraud and obtaining money by false pretences, contrary to Section 32(1) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the particulars of the offence, between August and September 2023, at Jui, in the Western Area of Freetown, the accused, with intent to defraud, allegedly conspired with other persons unknown to defraud Paul Gbetuwa of the sum of eight thousand eight hundred United States dollars (US$8,800).
The prosecution alleges that the accused falsely pretended that he could facilitate an overseas travel program for Noah Gbetuwa, the complainant’s son, to Australia for job opportunities knowing the claim to be false.
The second count further states that on the same date and place, the accused obtained the said sum of US$8,800 from Paul Gbetuwa under the same false pretence of arranging overseas employment for his son.
When the charges were read and explained to the accused, no plea was taken.
The prosecutor, Inspector Kadie M. Taylor, requested a short adjournment to allow her to lead her first witness.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Jah refused bail and ordered that the accused be remanded at the Male Correctional Centre in Freetown. The matter was adjourned to Tuesday, 29th October 2025 for further proceedings.