By: Audrey Raymonda John
A website developer and IT technician, Abu Bakarr Fofanah, has testified in court against two men accused of obtaining Le118, 000 by allegedly falsely claiming to have a Toyota Corolla vehicle for sale.
According to the particulars of the offence, on Tuesday, 19 May 2026, at No. 9 Canton Street, Hastings, Freetown, Western Area, the accused persons allegedly conspired with other persons unknown, with intent to defraud, and obtained Le118,000 from Joseph Pessima by falsely pretending that they had a Toyota Corolla vehicle for sale, knowing the representation to be false.
The second count further alleged that, on the same date and at the same location, the accused persons, with intent to defraud, obtained Le118, 000 from Pessima by falsely pretending that they had a Toyota Corolla vehicle for sale, knowing the representation to be false.
When the charges were read and explained to the accused, no plea was taken, as the matter is being heard under committal proceedings.
The prosecution, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sorie Conteh, called its third witness, Abu Bakarr Fofanah, a website developer and IT technician.
Fofanah told the court that he knew the first and second prosecution witnesses as co-workers and recognized both accused persons in connection with the matter.
He recalled that on 19 May 2026, he was in Freetown with the prosecution witnesses when Bangalie Sesay informed them that the two accused persons had a vehicle for sale.
According to the witness, as they were interested in purchasing the vehicle, they paid the accused persons Le118, 000. He said that he, together with the other witnesses, subsequently travelled from Freetown to Kabala.
Fofanah testified that Bangalie Sesay and the accused persons had drafted an agreement stating that the vehicle would be delivered the following day. He said the agreement was subsequently forwarded to them.
He added that he later contacted Bangalie to enquire about the vehicle, but was informed that a relative of one of the accused, identified as Abdul Koroma, had said the vehicle’s documents were in Guinea and were being processed.
The witness further testified that, later that evening, they contacted Bangalie again and were informed that Abdul Koroma had blocked his telephone number.
They subsequently returned to Freetown from Kabala and reported the matter to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), where Bangalie was detained.
Fofanah told the court that they later travelled to Kenema for a prayer day, where Ibrahim Jalloh informed him about a person who had sent him a message concerning a vehicle for sale.
According to him, upon checking the telephone number, he discovered that it was the same number belonging to Abdul Koroma.
He said he asked Ibrahim Jalloh to engage Abdul Koroma, who subsequently provided the telephone number of the second accused, describing him as his elder brother.
Fofanah said he then contacted the second accused and enquired about the vehicle. He testified that Abdul Koroma had referred him to the second accused, who confirmed that the vehicle was available and sent him photographs of it.
The witness further told the court that the second accused gave him his location at Jui, Freetown. He subsequently arranged with police officers to meet the accused.
According to Fofanah, the second accused later sent the first accused to pick them up. In their presence, he called Abdul Koroma and put the call on loudspeaker so that Abdul could confirm whether the money should be paid to the second accused. He said Abdul answered in the affirmative.
The witness added that a police officer who was with them asked the accused persons whether they had a car centre, to which they allegedly answered in the affirmative.
Both accused persons were later arrested and taken to the CID headquarters at Pademba Road, Freetown, where Fofanah said he made a statement.
His statement was produced and tendered in evidence and formed part of the court records.
The witness concluded his testimony, and Magistrate Fornah adjourned the matter to 25 September 2026 for cross-examination