By: Audrey Raymonda John
A 21-year-old Nigerian national, Ibrahim Bello, appeared before Magistrate Masera Siaminatu Jalloh at Pademba Road Court No. 8 in Freetown on charges of obtaining money by false pretences.
Bello is facing two counts of obtaining money by false pretence, contrary to Section 161(1) of the relevant law. The prosecution alleges that on 17 January 2026, between 7:00 p.m. and 1:30 a.m., the accused, with intent to defraud, obtained Le21,000,000 from the complainant under false pretences.
Led in evidence by the prosecution, the complainant testified that he transferred the said amount to the accused based on certain representations allegedly made to him. He further told the court that after receiving the money, the accused failed to fulfill the promises associated with the transaction.
In his response, Bello denied the allegations, maintaining that the money was voluntarily sent to him as part of a business arrangement. He argued that there was no fraudulent intent on his part and that any dispute arose from a failed business engagement rather than criminal conduct.
After hearing the prosecution’s evidence, Magistrate Jalloh ruled that a prima facie case had been established and ordered the accused to open his defence.
The matter was adjourned to Friday, 27 February 2026, for further hearing. Meanwhile, the accused was remanded at the Male Correctional Centre in Freetown pending the next adjourned date.