By: Audrey Raymonda John
Magistrate John Manso Fornah of Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown has refused bail to 44-year-old businessman Mohamed Sankoh, who is facing three counts of alleged fraudulent conversion, forgery of a document and uttering a forged document.
Sankoh was remanded at the Male Correctional Centre in Freetown after the prosecution objected to bail, citing the seriousness of the alleged offences.
The accused is charged with fraudulent conversion, contrary to Section 20(1)(iv)(b) of the Larceny Act, 1916; forgery of a document, contrary to Section 4(1) of the Forgery Act, 1913; and uttering a forged document, contrary to Section 8(1) and (2) of the Forgery Act, 1913.
According to the particulars of the first count, between July 1 and July 30, 2026, in Freetown, Sankoh allegedly fraudulently converted to his own use or benefit the sum of Le108, 800 entrusted to him by Alhaji Maju Bah for the purpose of clearing two 40-foot containers at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay and delivering the said property to Bah.
The second count alleged that, during the same period and at the same place, Sankoh, with intent to defraud, forged a document purporting to be an Assessment Notice issued by the National Revenue Authority (NRA).
The third count alleged that Sankoh, knowing the Assessment Notice to be forged, knowingly and fraudulently uttered and tendered it to Bah as a genuine document issued by the NRA.
When the charges were read and explained to Sankoh, no plea was taken as the matter is before the court as a committal proceeding.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Sorie Conteh, who is prosecuting the matter, informed the court that the accused had been served with a copy of the case and inquiry file.
Sankoh confirmed receipt of the documents.
Magistrate Fornah subsequently refused bail, citing the seriousness of the alleged offences, and remanded Sankoh at the Male Correctional Centre.
The matter was adjourned to September 21, 2026.