By: Audrey Raymonda John
Two defendants, Minkailu Sesay and Philip Fellicie, have been remanded at the Male Correctional Centre over an alleged fraudulent conversion involving US$30,000.
The matter came before Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah of Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown during committal proceedings. The prosecution was represented by State Counsel A.B.N. Taylor Kamara, assisted by M.M. Tawani.
According to the particulars of the charge, Minkailu Sesay is alleged to have, on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at Siaka Stevens Street, Freetown, fraudulently converted to his own use or benefit US$30,000, equivalent to Le720, 000, which was entrusted to him by Marie Sesay for delivery to Kate Majella Bridget Karemo Garnett.
Count two alleged that Philip Fellicie, on August 20, 2026, in Freetown, counselled, procured and commanded Minkailu Sesay to commit the offence of fraudulent conversion of the US$30,000 allegedly entrusted to Sesay by Marie Sesay for delivery to Kate Majella Bridget Karemo.
The charge against Fellicie is stated as accessory before the fact, contrary to law.
During the proceedings, State Counsel informed the court that the prosecution had complied with its statutory obligations under Section 112(1) (b) (2) of the Criminal Procedure Act.
He said the prosecution had filed the complete case bundle before the court and duly served it on the defendants as required by law.
Counsel further informed the court that the prosecution had not received any notice from the defence indicating an intention to call witnesses or cross-examine prosecution witnesses already served on them pursuant to Section 112(1)(c)(1) and (2).
State Counsel therefore urged the court to proceed to the next stage of the committal proceedings pursuant to Section 113(1), adding that the prosecution was ready to proceed and had a witness present to discharge the statutory obligation.
The prosecution witness, Police Constable 17184 Sylvester Kiawen, attached to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and resident at Hill Station, Freetown, testified that on August 21, 2026, while on duty, Inspector D. Banya handed the matter over to him for investigation.
He said he obtained statements from the complainant and witnesses together with Inspector D. Sandy.
The witness further testified that he and Inspector Sandy obtained a voluntary statement from the second defendant, Philip Fellicie.
According to him, Fellicie was cautioned and questioned in Krio, while his statement was recorded in English. The statement was subsequently read back to him in Krio, after which he confirmed its contents by affixing his right thumbprint. Inspector Sandy signed the statement as the recorder.
The statement was produced and tendered in court.
The witness also testified that on September 18, 2026, he and Inspector Sandy obtained a further voluntary charged statement from the first defendant, Minkailu Sesay.
He said Sesay was cautioned and questioned in Krio, while his statement was recorded in English and later read back to him in Krio. Sesay confirmed the statement by affixing his right thumbprint.
The charged statement was produced and tendered in court and marked as Exhibit D.
The complainant’s and witnesses’ statements dated August 21, 2026, were also produced and tendered in court.
Statements from the police witnesses dated September 5, 2026, were produced and tendered and marked as Exhibits G1 and G2.
The witness told the court that after the statements were obtained, the police file was forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice.
He said the DPP subsequently advised that both defendants should be charged, with the advice dated September 16, 2026.
In his submission, defence counsel T.M. Bangura urged the court to consider the evidence presented by the prosecution.
Counsel submitted that at the committal stage, the prosecution was not required to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt but was required to establish sufficient evidence for the matter to proceed to trial.
Defence counsel further assured the court that the defendants would not interfere with prosecution witnesses and would make themselves available on all adjourned dates if granted bail.
He also submitted that the defendants would not abscond if granted bail.
Counsel reminded the court that both defendants are presumed innocent until proved guilty or until they plead guilty, pursuant to Section 23(4) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone, Act No. 6 of 1991.
Following the proceedings, Magistrate Jah remanded both defendants at the Male Correctional Centre.
The matter was adjourned to October 5, 2026.