Mohamed Lamin Bangura and Salamatu Samura have Monday 18 September appeared before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of the Ross Road Court No.1 for ‘conspiring’ with unknown persons to defraud Osman Dumbuya and other thousands of Leones pretending that they would facilitate their traveling to Canada knowing same to be false.
Salamatu Samura and Mohamed Lamin Bangura were arraigned before the court on six counts charges of conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretences and other related offences contrary to law.
It was alleged that the accused, on diverse dates between 6 November 2022 and February 2023 at Maboreh, Calaba Town in Freetown, conspired with unknown persons to defraud thousands of Leones from Osman Dumbuya, Abubakar Suma and Abubkar Sawaneh pretending that they would facilitate their travelling to Canada knowing same to be false.
Led in evidence by Assistant Superintendent of Police ASP Mohamed B. Bangura prosecution witness (PW) 1, Osman
Dumbuya said recognised the accused and could recall the day in question.
Osman told the court that on that day, he was Guinea when he received from an unknown person who identified herself as Sallamatu Samura, who happens to be the first accused.
PW 1 said the first accused asked him what he was currently doing in Guinea.
Responding, he said he told the first accused was a labour and the first accused asked him to keep in touch with her promising that she would call him in three day time.
He said after the three days the first accused asked if he got the chance to come Sierra Leone for him to travel to Canada if he can accept such offer to which he responded in the affirmative, adding that if the travel programme is legal and guanine.
He said the first accused told him that she would consult the his brother, Mohamed Lamin Bangura about it.
On the following day, he said the first accused informed him that her brother, second accused have asked him to forward his passport, ID card among others which he said he did.
PW1 said after three days, he received a call from the first accused’s brother, Mohamed Lamin Bangura, who informed him that he had succeeded to be among those who would be travelling to Canada.
He said the second accused told him to continue keep in touch with the first accused, Salamatu Samura who made the connection for him.
The witness said he communicated same to the first accused. He said when he asked her what was the cost involved in the entire process, the first accused told him that NLe14, 000.
He said though he made it very clear to the first accused that he couldn’t offer such amount, she, the first accused told him that she be of assistance to him with any amount.
Osman told the bench that the first accused asked to come to Freetown, adding that on 6th November, 2022, he arrived in Freetown and the second Mohamed Lamin Bangura led him to his residence at Consider Lane, in Calaba Town, Freetown.
The witness said following Monday, the second accused led him and his parents to their office situated at Wan Word Garage, in Freetown.
He said upon their arrival at Wan Garage, the second accused asked how much money he brought for the programme responding, he said he told second accused that he brought NLe5,500, which handed over to him at the said office.
He said after payment when his father requested for a receipt, the second accused told him as long he was with parents his parents they shouldn’t issue him a receipt.
PW 1 added the second accused lodged him at his residence informing him that he had to undergo basic training at Wan Word Garage.
After the two weeks training at Wan Garage, he said he was transferred to the head office at Maboreh Junction Calaba Town in Freetown.
The witness after two weeks period again he asked the first and second accused about about the way forward.
He said in response, the first accused met him at the Maboreh office and told him that the company was ready and willing to offer him two spaces for the programme.
He said upon receiving the information, he called his friend, Dauda Suma explained to him about the programme.
He said in turn, Dauda Suma asked to call his father, Abubakar Suma and explained to him which he did.
He said having narrated the programme to Dauda Suma’s father; he left for Freetown, upon his arrival at Maboreh, the second accused explained to him and asked him to pay NLe17, 000 for his son.
‘In my presence, Mr Suma paid NLe17, 000 to the second accused on behalf of son, Dauda Suma. when he asked for a receipt, the second accused told him that receipt was not available and assured him of making it available to him,’ Osman explained.
He said the first and second accused pile presses on him to bring another person and he brought Abubakar Swaneh who spent a whooping sum of NLe35, 000 to the second accused at Magboreh.
The witness concluded his evidence saying that the first and second accused had been on the run and subsequently they were apprehended at Consider Lane Calaba Town and were taken to the Wellington Police Post in Freetown where he made a statement.
Defence Counsel M. A. Conteh cross examined the witness on behalf of his client.
Lawyer Conteh also renewed and adopted his previous application for bail on behalf of his clients, but they were refused bail and remanded at the Male Correctional Centre on Pademba Road in Freetown.
The matter was adjourned to 26th September, 2023 for further hearing.
