By: Audrey Raymonda John
“I gave the sum of one hundred and twelve thousand Leones to Mohamed M Turay to facilitate a travelling process for me and my child to Saudi Arabia”, these are the actual words of Allah Osman Bangura testifying before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Ross Road Court N o.1 on how he was duped.
Mohamed Turay, Foday Kamara and Abassy Kamara on the above matter are charged to court after a police investigation on a count charge to wit Obtaining Money by False Pretenses contrary to section 32(I) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
It was stated on the police file that on the 5th of December 2022, at White Street in Freetown, the accused persons obtained the sum of one hundred and twelve million old Leones from complainant Alhaji Osman Bangura by falsely pretending that they will facilitate their travelling to Saudi Arabia knowing same to be false.
Led in evidence by prosecuting counsel M. M Kamara complainant Alhaji Osman Bangura who gave his occupation as a teacher and Iman, residing at Old Wharf Wellington in Freetown recognized the first accused as his schoolmate and the person who informed him about the travel programme.
He also recognized the second accused as the manager of the said programme and the third accused in respect of the matter.
He said on Sunday the 5th of December 2022, the first accused called and gave him information about travelling to Saudi Arabia, a program he alleged was meant for Imans.
He said upon receipt of the information he left for Freetown and paid five million old leones to the second accused for the form at the office situated at White Street Brookfields opposite the APC office in Freetown.
Upon that payment, the accused assured him of travelling on 7th December and requested certain documents, and ID cards among others. The complainant said he ended up paying five thousand leones to the accused for the form and when he returned home, he narrated the same to his family.
In that same month, the complainant said he also paid the sum of one hundred and twenty thousand leones (NLe1,12000) to the accused to facilitate the process.
At this juncture, defence counsel M.M Kamara requested a short standdown in order for him to cross a fact relating to the matter.
Magistrate Kekura adjourned the matter to the 19th of June for further hearings.