By: Audrey Raymonda John
Prince Harding, a driver for the complainant in an ongoing vehicle fraud case involving the accused, Alex Dumbuya, testified before Magistrate Manso John Fornah at the Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown on Tuesday, August 12, 2025.
Harding, the third prosecution witness, told the court that on various occasions between April 1 and May 31, 2024, he was with the complainant, Esther Finda Gbetuwah, at IMMAT in Freetown when the accused, along with one Alhaji, met the complainant and informed her that they had a vehicle, a Sport Edition, for sale.
The complainant informed them that she did not have money at the time but invited them to meet her at her office on Williams Street at a later time to discuss further.
Harding said that when the accused and Alhaji arrived at the complainant’s office, the accused claimed to be the owner of the vehicle, although it was Alhaji with whom the complainant had initially discussed the vehicle. He further explained that the accused and Alhaji met with the complainant at her office on Williams Street, where they negotiated a price of $5,000 USD for the vehicle.
The complainant then handed them an open cheque. Harding testified that the group suggested the vehicle be tested for its fitness, to which the complainant agreed. One of the men drove the vehicle around the block and returned it, handing over the car’s logbook and jack to the complainant.
After completing the transaction, the complainant informed them that if any issues with the vehicle were discovered, they would be refunded. The accused and his associates accepted this condition.
Harding stated that within one to two weeks of the transaction, the vehicle started having mechanical issues. The accused and his associates took the vehicle for repairs and returned it to the complainant. However, the vehicle encountered further problems, and the accused collected it again for maintenance.
“I suggested that I follow them,” Harding testified. “The complainant gave me Le 4,000 to help with the car’s maintenance. When I met them at the garage, the accused and the others said they would return with the vehicle.”
He continued, “Until now, they have not returned with the vehicle, and they have not refunded the money.” During cross-examination by Lawyer A.B. Jalloh, Harding insisted that the complainant paid $5,000 USD for the vehicle and that he had seen the cheque. However, he clarified that while he was present during the transaction, he could not recall the name of the bank that issued the cheque or the person to whom it was issued.
Harding also confirmed that he could not be certain if the $5,000 was the agreed price for the vehicle or if the cheque was handed over to the accused. Additionally, he could not recall the number plate of the vehicle, noting that it had been a while since the transaction. The case is set to resume on August 20, 2025.