September 22, 2021
By Audrey John
Mabinty Titi Bangura who claimed to be a fish monger, made her first appearance before magistrate Sahr Keikura of Pademba road court No.1 in Freetown on one count charge to wit Obtaining money by false pretense contrary to section 32(i) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the particulars of offence on a date between 1st August 2021 and 12th August 2021 at No. 22 Magazine Wharf the western Area in Freetown with intent to defraud obtained from Isha Kamara the sum of seventy four million Leones (74,000,000) by falsely pretending that she has four hundred bags of fish for sale, knowing the same to be false.
Prosecution witness number one Isha Kamara residing in Guinea said as a business woman she knows the accused person for a long period and she recalled on a date between 1st August and 12th August 2021 where something transpired between herself and the accused person.
The accused person called her and informed her that her friends have Fishes for sale the accused person told her that one person have three hundred bags and the other person has one hundred bags and they agreed on two hundred and fifteen thousand Leones per bags of fish and she gave the accused person the sum of fifty million Leones and the fish total amount for all was eighty six million Leones.
The witness narrated that the accused insisted on her to give the remaining money as the owner will not accept half of the money and she asked one Abdul to accompany her to a Fullah businessman to collect twenty five million Leones.
The Witness said whilst on her way the accused person called her that the owner of the fish has arrived.
She gave the accused person twenty million Leones and she gave the money to the man she purported is the seller of the fish.
Counsel representing the accused person Elvis Kargbo applied for bail on behalf of his client that she is a Sierra Leonean by Nationality she is a married woman and her husband is ready to enter into recognizance on her behalf and she will not jump bail. She is a pressure patient and she will avail herself in court on every adjourned date. She will not interfere with prosecution witness or witnesses.
Counsel Kargbo made his application pursuant to section 79 (2) and (3) of the Criminal procedure Act No.32 of 1965.
Initially, Magistrate Keikura did not granted her bail because of the Community she is residing, he said she may be a flight risk.
After the accused person spends a week at the female correctional center in Freetown, she was granted bail due to his application made by her Lawyer Elvis Kargbo.
Magistrate Keikura granted her bail in the Sum of One hundred million Leones or two sureties must be resident in Freetown they should be elderly and responsible citizens they should produce identity card depicting their addresses in Freetown to be approved by the Deputy Acting Registrar (DAR)
Asp Ibrahim Mansaray is prosecuting the matter which is adjourned to the 1st October 2021.