By: Audrey Raymonda John
Musa Seaport Kamara, a 27-year-old businessman, and Cecilia Briggs, a 24-year-old student, were arraigned before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No. 2 on Monday, 9th June 2025. They face five counts including conspiracy to defraud, obtaining money by false pretenses, and unlawful possession of another person’s passport.
According to the police charge sheet, between 1st and 30th November 2024, at Goderich in the Western Area, the accused conspired with others to defraud Makalay Mansaray of $19,000 (approximately Le 456,000).
The charges further state that on the same dates and location, Musa Kamara and Cecilia Briggs, with intent to defraud, obtained $8,000 (Le 19,200) and \$10,000 (Le 240,000) from Makalay Mansaray by falsely promising to secure Canadian visas for Joseph Kambiama and Elizabeth Kambiama, knowing the promises were false. An additional $1,000 (Le 24,000) was also fraudulently obtained under the same pretense.
Count five alleges that between 1st and 31st January 2025, Musa Kamara unlawfully possessed Sierra Leonean passport books belonging to others for illegal purposes, specifically to restrict victims’ movement and facilitate human trafficking.
No plea was taken from the accused after the charges were read and explained.
During the proceedings, Assistant Superintendent of Police Dallia Wellington led the testimony of prosecution witness Makalay Mansaray, a midwife who identified the accused. She recounted how she was introduced to the accused through a family friend, Nongo Tonkara, who had connections to travel programs to America.
Makalay testified that she paid the accused a total of $18,000 through various transactions for visa facilitation, supported by video evidence and photographs. An undertaking signed by all parties involved was presented as Exhibit X, with photographic evidence marked Exhibit W.
Defense Counsel Z. A. Kanu (for the first accused) and I. Kargbo (for the second accused) objected to the prosecution’s application, seeking dismissal. However, Magistrate Fornah overruled the objection and remanded both accused to the Male Correctional Center in Freetown.
The case has been adjourned to 16th June 2025 for further proceedings.