By Audrey Raymonda John
In a courtroom drama unfolding at Pademba Road Court No.2 in Freetown, Abubakar Barry, a 45-year-old engineer employed by EDSA, found himself at the center of a legal maelstrom. Charged with four counts of obtaining money by false pretenses, Barry faced the scrutiny of Magistrate Santigie Bangura on Tuesday, April 30, 2024.
The allegations against Barry, as outlined in court documents, paint a picture of deceit and financial manipulation. According to the particulars of the offenses, Barry stands accused of duping Mahmoud Yurailie Sesay out of significant sums of money under false pretenses regarding land transactions.
The first count dates back to Friday, January 21, 2022, where Barry allegedly obtained $2,000 from Sesay by falsely claiming ownership of six plots of land in Sussex, Freetown. Similar accusations followed on February 25, 2022, and June 1, 2022, with Barry purportedly swindling Sesay out of $30,000 and $10,000, respectively, using the same fabricated land ownership scheme. The fourth count involves a conspiracy allegation, suggesting Barry colluded with unidentified individuals in the fraudulent transactions.
During the proceedings, Sergeant 9155 Dwight Macarthy led the prosecution’s case, presenting witness testimony from Felix Sesay, an engineer. Sesay, who identified Sesay as his brother, recounted the events leading up to the alleged transactions. He detailed how Barry’s promises of land ownership and expedited legal processes ultimately led to financial losses for Sesay and his family.
Under cross-examination by defense counsel Ibrahim Turay, Sesay’s account underwent scrutiny, but his testimony remained steadfast.
Magistrate Bangura, presiding over the case, adjourned proceedings to May 6, 2024, allowing for further legal deliberations. Despite the ongoing legal battle, Barry’s bail was extended.
As the case continues to unfold, it sheds light on the complexities of land transactions and the importance of due diligence in financial dealings. Stay tuned for further updates as the trial progresses.
