By: Audrey Raymonda John
Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Ross Road Court No.1 in Freetown yesterday remanded Abubakar Bangura at the Male Correctional Centre on Pademba Road in Freetown for fraudulently converting a TVS motorbike with registration number ARV 047 valued at fourteen thousand, five hundred Leones (NLe14,500), which was entrusted to him by Noah Hull for the purpose of riding on commercial basis.
Abubakar Bangura appeared before the court on a count charge of fraudulent conversion contrary to the laws of Sierra Leone.
The police say the accused, on 15 May 2022 at No. 22 Pipe Line Kola Tree, in Calaba Town Freetown, fraudulently converted a TVS motorbike with registration number ARV 047 valued at NLe14,500 entrusted to him for the purpose of riding on commercial basis.
Led in evidence by Police Constable 14032 Koroma A.F prosecution witness (PW) 2, Osman Sesay told the court that he recognized the accused and could recall 9 June 2023.
The witness said he was on duty at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) the Kissy Police Station in Freetown, when the complainant reported a case of fraudulent conversion. He said the case was assigned to him for investigation, disclosing that on the same day, he and Detective Sergeant 1506 Koroma A obtained statements from the complainant and his witnesses.
Mr Sesay said being that the accused was held at the said police station for another crime, he and Detective Sergeant Koroma obtained a voluntary caution statement from the accused, which he admitted it to be true and correct by affixing his right hand thumbprint witnessed by Detective Sergeant Koroma.
The accused’s voluntary caution statement was produced and tendered to form part of the court’s records.
The witness concluded his evidence that on 3 October 2022, he charged the accused with the offence of fraudulent conversion. The charge statement was tendered in evidence. Though the accused was not legally represented, Magistrate Kekura granted the fifty thousand leones (NLe50, 000) bail with a surety who should be resided in Freetown. The surety should furnish the court with a valid identification card and should be employed and should have a proof of residence. Bail should be approved by the Deputy Master and Registrar. The matter will come up on 15th February 2023.