By Audrey John
Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Pademba Road Court No 1 has ordered Hassan Lee former staff of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to be remanded at the Male Correctional Center.
The accused was arraigned before him for obtaining money by false pretenses contrary to section 32(1) of the larceny Act of 1916.
It was alleged on the charge sheet that on a date unknown between 1st to 30th April, 2022, at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Gloucester Street in Freetown, with intent to defraud obtained the sum of four thousand United States Dollars ($4000) equivalent to forty three million leones (Le43,000,000,00) from complainant Samuel Tarawallay by falsely pretending that he will facilitate his travel and five others to Australia, knowing same to be false.
Led in evidence by Sergeant Dwight Macathy, the witness Samuel Tarawallay recognized the accused person in the dock.
He said between 1st to 30th April 2019, he received information about a scholarship program at the Ministry of Internal Affairs. He said he went with his friend to check at the office and on arrival; they met the accused who confirmed same to them. The witness said after discussing with him, he told them that there is another program for Australia. “My Lord at that time he was the Permanent Secretary to the former minister”, he said
Explaining further, the witness said he enquired about the program which the accused told him cost one thousand United States Dollars.
The witness said after deliberating on the issue, he and his friend gave the accused four thousand United States Dollars equivalent to forty three million Leones as part payment for the Australia program inside the minister`s office in the presence of his colleagues.
He said after giving him the money, he promised them to check him after three day.
“My Lord, when we went to the office, he got an information from the secretary that the accused have wreak havoc and that the minister is searching for him”, he stated.
The witness said he decided to call the accused on his cell phone and he was giving him excuses. He said he went and reported the matter at Lumley police post where he went and identified him. They were referred to Central police station but the matter was later sent to the Criminal Investigation Department at Pademba Road.
Cross examined by defense counsel, the witness said he heard about the program which he and his colleagues went to cross check.
It was my aunt who escorted me and my friends to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The witness further stated that he was the one that collected the money from his friends and handed it over to the accused.
In another question put to him, the witness said he did not get documents to ascertain the fact, but there was some body present when the transaction was taking place.
From the evidence adduced so far, magistrate Sahr Keikura refused the accused bail and ordered for him to be remanded in prison.
Upon hearing the order from the magistrate, the accused shivered in the dock and cried like a baby.
Defense counsel informed the court with a souvenir that the accused is about to get married and refusing him bail will hinder same.
Magistrate Sahr Kekura said when I asked him, he said he did not receive a dime from anyone; he said the money was given to the then minister Mr. Suluku.
Magistrate Sahr Kekura said the accused convinced him on the day he was arraigned but the evidence has proven otherwise which is why he has refused bail.
The matter was adjourned to Friday 4th of March 2022.