By: Audrey Raymonda John
Alusine Kamara, a fisherman, has made his first appearance before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown, facing a charge of fraudulent conversion.
The charge is brought under Section 20(1)(iv)(a) of the Larceny Act 1916.
According to the particulars of the offence, the alleged incident occurred in 2021 at Goderich in the Western Area of Freetown. The prosecution alleges that the defendant fraudulently converted to his own use one 15-horsepower outboard motor valued at NLe 56,000 and one set of fishing nets valued at NLe 35,000, bringing the total value to NLe 91,000. The items were reportedly entrusted to him by Sahr Foday Morquee for safekeeping.
When the charge was read and explained to the defendant, he pleaded not guilty.
During the proceedings, Assistant Superintendent of Police Isatu Baba Musa led prosecution witness number two, Mariama Musa, a nurse and relative of the complainant.
The witness testified that she knew both the complainant and the defendant. She stated that the complainant informed her in 2021 that he owned a boat and an engine and needed a fisherman, after which she recommended the defendant.
She further explained that the complainant handed over two boats, fishing nets, and outboard motors to the defendant, valued at NLe 91,000, under a working arrangement. The defendant later requested NLe 6,000 for maintenance, which was provided.
According to her testimony, the defendant and the boat subsequently went missing. The matter was reported to the Aberdeen Police Station, where the defendant was asked to return the items but allegedly failed to do so and later became unreachable. She also confirmed that she made a formal statement to the police.
Following the testimony, Magistrate Fornah refused bail and ordered that the defendant be remanded at the male correctional facility in Freetown.
The matter was adjourned to 13th April 2026 for further hearing.