By: Audrey John
40yrs old Mohamed Rashid Kamara a business man on the 30th March, 2022 made his first appearance before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Pademba road court No.1 in Freetown on three count charges ranging from Obtaining money by false pretenses contrary to section 32 (1) of the Larceny Act of 1916
According to the particulars of offence the accused person on diverse dates between Saturday 1st August and 30th November 2020 at Calaba Town the western area in Freetown with intent to defraud obtained the sum of twenty nine million Leones (29,000,000) from Haja Zainab Barrie by falsely pretending that you will secure her a Canadian Visa ticket and facilitate her travelling to the said country knowing same to be false on count two at the same place and date with intent to defraud obtained the sum of fourteen million leones(14,000,000) from Yusuf Bakarr by falsely pretending that you will secure him a Canadian Visa, ticket and facilitate his travelling to the said country knowing same to be false on count three at the same place and date with intent to defraud obtained the sum of twenty million Leones(20,000,000) from Issa Turay by falsely pretending that you will secure him a Canadian visa ticket to facilitate his travelling to the said country knowing same to be false
The prosecutor informed the bench that she had not had pre-trial discussions with the witness and requested for a short adjournment date to have proper conference with the complainants.
Defense Counsel, AK Kanu applied for bail on behalf of the accused person that the accused person has reliable sureties and he is not a flight risk. He made this application pursuant to section 79 2 of the criminal producing Act No.32 of 1965.
Defense counsel said the accused has spent a month in police cell and his client did not want to waste the court time as they are ready and willing to settle with the complainant.
However, Magistrate Kekura adjourned the matter to 1st April 2022 for further hearing, while Corporal 12090 Zainab Y Bangura continues as prosecutor.
