By: Audrey Raymonda John
Amadu Komba a business man made his first appearance before Magistrate Peter Brima Gogra of Pademba road court No.6 in Freetown on a private criminal sermons on two count charges ranging from Fraudulent conversion Contrary to Section 20 (1) (4) (a) of the Larceny Act 1916.
According to the particulars of offence sometimes in November 2022 at SS Camp Regent the western area in Freetown Fraudulently converted to his own use or benefit certain property that is to say ten million Leones(10,000,000) entrusted to him by Fatmata Turay that he may retain it in safe keeping.
On count two at the same place and date the accused person fraudulently converted to his own use or benefit certain property that is to say Seven million Leones(7,000,000) received by him for and on account of the said complainant.
The charges was read and explained to the accused person and he pleaded not guilty.
Julia F During Esq Lead Prosecution witness number one Fatmata Turay a business woman said she recognized the accused person he was her husband she recalled on the above date something transpired between herself and the accused person.
She handed over the sum of ten million Leones to the accused person the witness said she gave him the said amount for him to open account for her in the presence of one Frederica the witness said.
She is doing coal business she handed over the sum of seven million Leones to the accused person for him to keep because she will be expecting supply for her coal.
The witness said they came with the supply and she requested for her money to the accused person the accused person told her that he didn’t have money for her the witness said she gave the total sum of seventeen million Leone to the accused person since then she didn’t receive her money.
The witness was cross examined by C. Kamara Esq representing the accused person applied for bail for and on behalf of the accused person that he is a Sierra Leonean resident within this jurisdiction that he has reliable sureties who are willing and ready to go into recognisance on his behalf he will not interfere with prosecution witness or witnesses.
He made his application pursuant to section 79 3 of the Criminal procedure Act No.32 of 1965.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Gogra granted the accused person bail in the sum of thirty million Leones with two sureties in like sum sureties to be resident in the western area.
Sureties to produce valid national passport for identification both sureties to be employed in a government institution.
One surety to be fifty years old and above, Bail to be approved by the Bench matter adjourned to the 21st March 2023 for further hearing.