By: Audrey Raymonda John
Two men, 27-year-old Yankuba Koroma and 64-year-old Michael Musa, have been remanded at the Male Correctional Centre in Freetown by Magistrate John Manso Fornah of Pademba Road Court No. 2 after facing allegations of conspiracy to defraud and obtaining money by false pretences.
The accused persons are charged with two counts: conspiracy to defraud contrary to law, and obtaining money by false pretences contrary to Section 32(1) of the Larceny Act, 1916.
According to the particulars of the offence, on Tuesday, 19 May 2026, at No. 9 Canton Street, Hastings, Freetown, Western Area, the accused persons allegedly conspired with other persons unknown, with intent to defraud, and obtained the sum of one hundred and eighteen thousand Leones (NLe118,000) from Joseph Pessima.
The prosecution alleges that the accused falsely represented that they had a Toyota Corolla vehicle available for sale, knowing the representation to be false.
The second count further alleges that on the same date and location, the accused persons, with intent to defraud, obtained NLe118,000 from Joseph Pessima by falsely claiming that they had a Toyota Corolla vehicle for sale.
When the charges were read and explained to the accused persons, no plea was taken, as the matter is being handled as a committal proceeding.
The prosecution, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sorie Conteh, informed the court that copies of the case file and inquiry documents had been served on the accused persons.
DSP Conteh also led the first prosecution witness, Osman Moigua, who told the court that he recognised both accused persons and the complainant, whom he identified as his business partner.
The witness said he recalled that on 19 May 2026, an incident occurred involving the complainant and both accused persons. At that stage, the prosecution requested a short adjournment.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Fornah denied bail, citing the seriousness of the alleged offences. The matter has been adjourned to 14 August 2026.