By: Audrey Raymonda John
Tijan Yarjah, a 36-year-old driver, was again arraigned before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Magistrate Court No. 2 on Wednesday, facing two criminal charges relating to an alleged vehicle sale scam.
Yarjah is charged with Conspiracy to Defraud, contrary to law, and Obtaining Money by False Pretences, contrary to Section 32(1) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the charge sheet, between Saturday, March 1 and Monday, March 17, 2025, at Jones Street in Freetown, Western Area, Yarjah conspired with unknown individuals to defraud one Reign Kamara.
Count Two alleges that on the same date and location, with intent to defraud, the accused obtained the sum of Twenty Thousand United States Dollars ($20,000) equivalent to Four Hundred and Seventy-Two Thousand Leones (NLe 472,000.00) from Reign Kamara by falsely pretending that he had two vehicles for sale: a 2014 Jeep Wrangler and a 2014 Lexus, knowing this claim to be false.
When the charges were read and explained, no plea was taken from the accused.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Sorie Conteh, prosecuting, led Detective Sergeant Inspector (DSI) Kargbo K., the third prosecution witness attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), in his testimony.
DSI Kargbo stated that on May 7, 2025, while on duty, the complainant reported a case of obtaining money by false pretence. He said he obtained statements from the complainant and a witness. DSI Kargbo further explained that he and the complainant visited the residence of the accused but could not locate him at the time.
He testified that the accused was later arrested by PW1 (Prosecution Witness 1) on June 1, 2025, and brought to the station. On June 2, 2025, DSI Kargbo and Detective Police Constable (DPC) 13846 Ngaujeh T. obtained a caution statement from the accused in Krio, which Kargbo recorded in English.
According to the witness, the statement was read back to the accused in Krio, and he confirmed its accuracy by affixing his right-hand thumbprint. DPC Ngaujeh also signed the statement as the recorder. The statement was produced and tendered in court as Exhibit C1–13.
DSI Kargbo further testified that on June 16, 2025, he and DPC Ngaujeh formally charged the accused with the offences of conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretences. The charge sheet was also tendered in court as Exhibit D1–2.
Defence Counsel M.S. Saccoh applied for bail, arguing that the accused has reliable sureties and would not interfere with prosecution witnesses. However, Magistrate Fornah refused bail, citing the seriousness of the charges.
Yarjah was ordered to be remanded at the Male Correctional Centre in Freetown.
The matter was adjourned to August 14, 2025, for continuation of trial.