By Audrey Raymonda John
Thirty-one years old Joseph Abdulai Kamara (Alias Jose Morinoh) a Business man and Thirty-nine years old Mohamed Koroma (Alias Ola Med) a technician and Labourer made another appearance before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Pademba road court No.1 in Freetown on four count charges to wit Conspiracy to defraud contrary to law, identity theft contrary to section 42 (2) (a) of the Cyber security and crime Act 2021, impersonation contrary to section 42 (2) (b) of the Cyber security and crime Act 2021 and obtaining money by Fraud other than false pretenses contrary to section 32 (1) of the Larceny Act 1916.
According to the particulars of offence on diverse dates between June to October 2023 in Freetown with intent to defraud conspired together and with other persons unknown to defraud Abdul Rahman Sesay, Ibrahim Bangura and Mustapha Sannoh the sum of one hundred and fifty one thousand Leones (151,000) worth of orange money through sim number 073 534308, 075 658130 and 072 057052 purporting to be the Deputy Minister of Local Government Honorable Alfred Jamiru Knowing same to be false.
On count two the on the above date and place the accused persons with intent to defraud do use the names and photos of Senior Citizens as Profile picture in the person of Honorable Alfred Jamiru Deputy minister of Local Government and Community Affairs through social media via with the said orange money number defrauded the said complainant purporting to be the Deputy Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs Honorable Alfred Jamiru Knowing same to be false.
On count three the accused persons on the above date and place with intent to defraud do used the names and photos of the said minister through the said orange money numbers worth the said amount knowing same to be false.
On count four on the above date and place the accused persons fraudulently obtained the sum of one hundred and fifty one thousand on the said orange money numbers purporting to be the said minister Knowing same to be false.
When the charges was read and explained to the accused persons no plea was taken.
Counsel representing the second accused person I Turay Esq applied for bail for and on behalf of the second accused person is a Sierra Leonean resident within this jurisdiction that he has reliable sureties who are willing and ready to go into recognizance on his behalf.
He will not interfere with prosecution witness or witnesses nor will he jumped bail he made his application pursuant to section 79 2 of the Criminal procedure Act No.32 of 1965.
Meanwhile Magistrate Kekura granted the second accused person bail in the sum of five hundred thousand Leones with two sureties in like sum sureties to be employed in a government institution in Sierra Leone.
Sureties to produce valid identity card depicting his or her address in Freetown.
Bail to be approved by the Deputy assistant Registrar Matter whilst the bench warrant still enforced for the first accused person, the matter adjourned to the 16th April 2024.
