By: Audrey Raymonda John
After they allegedly collected monies from several individuals, claiming to facilitate their travelling to Australia, employees of Q-net have appeared in court to answer to several charges before Magistrate Marke Ngegba at the Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown.
According to the information before the Court, the accused persons on dates unknown between the 1st May, 2022 and the 31st June 2022 at No.124 City Road off Haja- Fatmata Wellington, Western Area in Freetown with intent to defraud conspired together and with other persons unknown to commit a felony to wit obtaining money by false pretences.
Police also alleged that the accused person caused money to be paid by Sinnah Aminata Kamara the sum of seventy thousand Leones to facilitate fee to send her to Canada knowing same to be false.
Police also alleged that the accused persons, at the same date obtained the sum of seventy million Leones from Aruna Quesi to facilitate his travelling to Australia knowing same to be false.
The accused persons are facing 11 counts charges of Conspiracy to commit a fraud ten count ranging from obtaining money by false pretences.
Led in evidence by State Counsel, Christian Davis Cole, second prosecution witness, Abdul Rahman Bangura, recalled that on the 1st May 2022 and the 31st July 2022, a certain Ibrahim Koroma disclosed that the 8th and 4th accused persons, were going to prepare documentation for his travel overseas.
Based on that the witness said he asked the second accused about the procedure, adding that the second accused requested for his WASSCE result and gave the sum of Le 500 for the application form.
Bangura told the court that he also gave the sum of Le 2 million Leones which he also gave the accused persons. Before long, Bangura was anxious that he had not received the form he had paid money for, but when he expressed his anxiety, he was told by one of the accused persons that the second accused is a master when it comes to filling of application forms.
Bangura added that he also sent another Le 2 million and then another Le 5,500. He furthered that he was told to come the following day for interview, which Bangura did and was being questioned by the accused persons and was later congratulated on the grounds that he made it.
Bangura was also told that two spaces were available; he brought two of his friends to occupy the two spaces that were available. His friend paid the sum of Le 15 million to a certain Sorie Kabbah.
He added that a certain Moses also paid the sum of Le 7 million Leones.
“Before long, I came to realized that it was fraud through the 8th accused person who told him that his friend had travelled, but when I inquired, I realized that it was all lies” witness said.
Adding that “One of the accused, Sorie told me that he has also came to realize that it was fraud, adding that he want to quit, so I requested that a refund be made to my friends, but they dragged feet to do so,” Bangura revealed.
He mentioned that a family friend advised him to make a report at the Barracks Police Station.
During cross-examination by the accused persons who were not represented by a lawyer, nearly all accused persons denied doing business with the victim and witness. The 8th accused person told the Court that he was not in town when the alleged incident occurred.
After cross-examination, State Counsel, Christian Davis Cole requested for an adjournment date.
Magistrate Marke Ngegba adjourned the matter to the 13th October 2022, while all accused persons are on bail.
