By: Audrey Raymonda John
Magistrate John Manso Fornah of Pademba Road Magistrate Court No. 2 in Freetown has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Komba Kaminty, a labourer, and his surety after both failed to appear in court for the hearing of an alleged visa fraud case.
Kaminty is facing two counts of obtaining money by false pretences, contrary to Section 32(1) of the Larceny Act, 1916.
According to the police charge sheet, the alleged offences took place between February and April 2024.
On the first count, the prosecution alleges that the accused, with intent to defraud, obtained US$5,000, equivalent to NLe120,000, from Isatu Bangura through Mamoud Jalloh.
The prosecution claims that Kaminty falsely represented that he would secure genuine visas and facilitate the travel of Isatu Bangura’s relatives—Yusif Bangura, Fatmata Bangura, and Bai Bangura from Sierra Leone to Brazil, a claim he allegedly knew to be false.
On the second count, the prosecution alleges that during the same period, Kaminty obtained US$2,000, equivalent to NLe48,000, from Agnes Wotto through Christiana Niccol by falsely claiming that he would obtain a genuine visa and facilitate Wotto’s travel from Sierra Leone to Brazil.
The prosecution maintains that the accused allegedly made the representation knowing it was false.
When the matter was called before the court, neither the accused nor his surety was present. As a result, Magistrate Fornah issued a bench warrant for their arrest.
The case has been adjourned to 27 July 2026 for further proceedings.