By: Audrey Raymonda John
The Second Complainant on the visa Fraud before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Ross Road Court No.1, Musa Kargbo has narrated how he defrauded the sum of eight thousand United state dollars for a travelling program to Canada.
The accused Abu Bakar Jah was dragged to court after a police investigation for a preliminary hearing on two counts charges of conspiracy to defraud and obtaining money by false pretences contrary to section 32(1) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
It was alleged on count one that sometime in July at No.3 Patton Street, the accused conspired together with another person unknown to defraud Musa Kargbo of the sum of eight thousand United state dollars equivalent to the sum of one hundred and sixty-eight thousand Leones new Leones (Le 168,000,00).
In count two, it was also alleged that on the 25th of August 2021, at the same address, the accused with intent to fraud obtained the above sum from the complainant by falsely pretending that he will facilitate the travelling of one Unisa Thoronka, Francis Koroma, Kadiatu Sesay and Isata Kamara to Canada Knowing same to be false.
Led by Prosecutor Osman Mohamed Bangura the second complainant Fancis Koroma residing at No. 782 Bai Bureh Road knew Musa Kargbo who happens to be one of the first complainant on the matter and the accused at the dock, told the court that sometime in July 2021, complainant was at his store when he received a phone call from someone whom he was discussing about a travelling program for Canada which he became interested.
The witness said he enquired from first complainant Musa Kargbo about the amount involved from here to Canada and he responded that it was two thousand dollars equivalent to twenty-three million Leones.
The witness said during the evening hours the first complainant received a call from his sister in America discussing about the same program.
Reaching that stage, the prosecutor Osman Mohamed Bangura seek for a short-adjourned date for him to get proper conference with the complainant.
Defence counsel M. Kamara Esq made an application for the Magistrate to reduce the condition of bail slammed on his client.
Responding to the defense, Magistrate Sahr Kekura said he has given the accused bail, but defense counsel said his clint is unable to meet the conditions.
Magistrate Sahr Kekura further stated that the documents involved on the bail condition are very simple to get. He adjourned the matter 25th of May 2023.