By: Audrey Raymonda John
Magistrate Mark Ngegba of Pademba Road court No.1 has on Wednesday 16th November, 2022 granted NLe2M bail to Lebanese National Jihad Swaid over an alleged fraud.
The accused Jihad Swaid was brought before the Court under private criminal summon for one count offence of obtaining money by false pretenses and 6 counts offence of causing money to be paid contrary to law.
According to the particulars of offence on count one, it was alleged that the accused on diverse dates between January, 2020 to December, 2020 at No.1 Market Road, Makeni, Bombali in the Bombali Judicial district in the North East Region of the Republic of Sierra Leone with intent to defraud obtained from the said Mr. Ibrahim Conteh the sum of USD$140,000 (One Hundred and Forty United States Dollars) by falsely pretending that he has a house for sale at No.1 Market Road Makeni, Bombali knowing same to be False.
The police further alleged on count two and three that the accused on diverse dates between January, 2020 to December, 2020 at No.1 Market Road, Makeni, Bombali in the Bombali Judicial District in the North East Region of the Republic of Sierra Leone with intent to defraud caused the sum of USD$19, 000 (nineteen Thousand United States Dollars)to be paid by Mr. Ibrahim Conteh to Auctioneers for the purpose of Auctioning a house situate at No.1 Market Road, Makeni in the bid to sold by him knowing same to be False.
It was further alleged on Count four that the accused person on the same date and place with intent to defraud cause the sum of USD$14,000 to be paid by Mr. Ibrahim Conteh to by the said Paramount chief knowing that the entire sale transaction was False.
Count five stated that the accused with intent to defraud cause the sum of $14,000 USD to be paid by Mr. Ibrahim Conteh to Alusine Esq. being 10% fees of the total consideration of Conveyance in respect of the sale transaction knowing fully the entire transaction was False.
The police alleged on counts six that the accused with intent to defraud caused the sum of USD$14,000 to be paid by Mr. Ibrahim Conteh to National Revenue Authority (NRA) knowing fully the entire transaction was False.
Whiles counts seven added that the accused with intent to defraud caused Mr. Ibrahim Conteh the sum of USD$40,000 for the renovation of the said property knowing fully well that the sale transaction was False.
Testifying, first Witness Amadu Tejan Barrie said he was the agent that did all the transactions for the complainant and they reached an agreement with the defendant for the sale of the property in the sum of $140.
After agreement with the Defendant, the Witness said the Complainant Ibrahim agreed to buy the house.
At this stage, Prosecution Counsel Hindolo M. Gevao Esq. sought from the Bench for an adjournment, which according to him; he has relevant documents that are germane to evidence which he want to present in court after he would have verified it.
On that background, Defense Counsel B. S. Kamara requested bail for his Client citing section 79 of the Criminal Procedure Act No.32 of 1965.
The learned Lawyer assured the Bench that his client would not jump bail or interfere with Prosecution witnesses, adding that the Defendant is a responsible citizen who has credible sureties that are willing to enter his recognizance.
In reply, Prosecution Counsel Gevao filed an affidavit in opposing to bail and among the reasons stated were that the Defendant is a flight risk, notably the offences charged were serious.
Magistrates Ngegba granted the Defendant bail in the sum of NLe2M (two Million New Leones).
The bail condition required the Defendant to produce 2 sureties whom shall be resident in Freetown and should be employed in a recognized Institution, adding that one of the Sureties should produce a certified Bank statement having a minimum $150 that should be verified by the Bench.
He ordered that then bail condition should be approved by Master and Registrar.
The matter comes up again on Friday 25th November, 2022.