By: Audrey Raymonda John
Forty-one-year-old contractor, Ibrahim Mustapha, has been remanded at the Male Correctional Centre in Freetown by Magistrate John Manso Fornah of Pademba Road Court No. 2 on four counts of alleged fraud-related offences.
The charges comprise two counts of Obtaining Money by False Pretences, contrary to Section 32(1) of the Larceny Act, 1916, and two counts of Causing Money to be Paid by Means of False Pretences, contrary to Section 32(2) of the same Act.
According to the particulars of offence, on 2 March 2024 at 3C Ibrahim Drive, Juba Hill, Freetown, Ibrahim Mustapha allegedly obtained Le66,000 from Juma Sesay with intent to defraud by falsely claiming that he owned a piece or parcel of land at John Obey on the Freetown Peninsula which was available for sale, knowing the representation to be false.
The second count alleges that between 29 March 2024 and 9 April 2026, at the same location, the accused obtained Le47,629 from Juma Sesay by falsely representing that he owned a parcel of land at John Obey, Peninsula, Freetown, which he purportedly intended to sell, knowing that claim to be false.
Count Three states that on 2 March 2024, at the same address, the defendant allegedly caused Juma Sesay to pay Le1,500 to Benjamin John for the surveying of the said parcel of land at John Obey by falsely presenting himself as the rightful owner of the property.
Count Four further alleges that on 29 April 2026, the defendant caused Juma Sesay to pay Le3,000 to Benjamin John for an additional survey of the same parcel of land at John Obey while falsely claiming ownership of the property.
When the charges were read and explained to the accused, no plea was taken because the matter is before the court by way of committal proceedings.
During the hearing, the prosecutor, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sorie Conteh, informed the court that the defendant had been served with a copy of the case and inquiry file.
The defendant confirmed receipt of the documents.
At the conclusion of the proceedings, Magistrate Fornah refused bail, citing the seriousness of the offences charged, and ordered that the accused be remanded at the Male Correctional Centre in Freetown.
The matter was adjourned to 30 June 2026 for further proceedings.
The accused remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.