By: Audrey Raymonda John
A 34-year-old security guard, John Barbah Conteh, and Elizabeth Sesay Koroma have appeared before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown over an alleged fraudulent conversion involving a commercial tricycle, commonly known as a Kekeh.
The accused made their first appearance on Thursday, September 10, 2026, on one count of Fraudulent Conversion, contrary to Section 20(1)(V)(a) of the Larceny Act 1916.
According to the particulars of the offence, the accused allegedly, between July 1 and July 31, 2026, at Social Welfare, New England Ville, in the Western Area of the Republic of Sierra Leone, fraudulently converted to their own use or benefit one blue tricycle, with registration number AXM 761, valued at NLe85,000.
The prosecution alleged that the tricycle was entrusted to the accused by Emmanuel Sheriff for safe keeping and remained his property.
When the charge was read and explained to the accused, no plea was taken because the matter is proceeding under committal proceedings.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Conteh S, who represented the prosecution, told the court that copies of the prosecution file had been served on the accused. He further informed the court that the prosecution witnesses were absent.
The accused were not legally represented at the time of the hearing and confirmed that they had received copies of the prosecution file.
Magistrate Fornah ordered that subpoenas be served on the absent prosecution witnesses and adjourned the matter to September 15, 2026, for further proceedings.