December 15, 2021
By Audrey John
Two Spanish National Jose Ramon Gaztelurrutia Ezpeleta,Ander Abona Gaztelurrutia and a Gambian Landing Sanneh were drag to court before magistrate Sahr Kekura of Pademba Road court No 1 by Pearl Hotel for allegedly defraud the said hotel the sum of USD 15,000.
The accused persons Jose Ramon Gaztelurrutia Ezpeleta, Ander Abona Gaztelurrutia and Landing Sanneh were drag to court on three counts charges ranging from conspiracy to defraud contrary to law, obtaining credit under false pretenses contrary to section 13(1) of the debtors act, 1869 and other related offence.
According to the particulars of offence on count one, the police alleged that the accused persons between 30 September 2021 and 24 November 2021 at Pearl Hotel beach road Aberdeen Freetown with intent to defraud conspired together with other persons unknown to defraud the management of the said hotel the sum of USD 15,000 equivalent to le177 million.
The Police further alleged on count two and three that the accused persons on the aforementioned date incurring debt of liability to Pearl Hotel Management, obtained credit to the tube of USD 15,000 by fraud other than false pretenses, property of the management of Pearl Hotel.
When the charges were read and explained to them through a Spanish interpreter, they pleaded not guilty to the offences charged. Prosecutor Sergeant 9155 Dwight Macarthy requested an adjournment to have conference with his witness.
In the circumstances defense counsel, Walter Garber Esq applied for bail on behalf of the accused persons on the grounds that, two of the accused persons are Spanish and the other a Gambian. He added that the offences for which his clients were charged are mere allegations and they will not in any way jump bail because their traveling document were taken from them at CID. He said they are presume innocent until proven guilty, adding that his client has spent more than 7 days in police custody.
The prosecutor in reply to the bail application relied on the affidavit in opposition for bail before the court.
Magistrate Kekura granted bail to all accused persons in the sum of Le 250 million, stating that the prosecution is not serious to prosecute the matter even with the presences of the interpreter. The matter was adjourned to the 20th December 2021 further hearing.