31 years old student James Baimba was last Friday 21 July 2023 sent to prison by Magistrate Mark Ngegba of Pademba Road Court No1 for allegedly defrauding Mohamed Ibrahim Conteh the sum of Nine Thousand Three Hundred United States Dollars ($9,300) for visa to America.
The accused made his first appearance in court and was arraigned on two counts of Conspiracy to defraud contrary to law and Causing money to be paid by false pretence contrary to section 32 (1) of the larceny Act 1916.
According to count one, the accused on diverse date between Monday 1 February 2021, and Wednesday 29 March 2022, in Freetown with intent to defraud conspired together with other person’s unknown to defraud Ibrahim Conteh the sum of $9,300 USD equivalent to NLe 213,000 with the pretext that he will provide a visa to the US and at the same time facilitate his traveling to the United States of America knowing same to be false.
The police further alleged on counts two that the accused of the same dates in Freetown unlawful caused Mohamed Ibrahim Conteh to pay to Osman Koroma the sum of $9,300 USD equivalent to NLe 213,000 as payment fee for a visa to the US and at the same time to facilitate his traveling to the US, knowing same to be false. When the charges were read and explain to him, no plea was taken.
The police prosecutor ASP Ibrahim S. Mansaray informed the court that his witness is absent noting that he is presently on exams and therefore could not proceed with the matter.
Defence lawyer Mohamed Golfa Esq applied for bail on behalf of the accused pursuant to section 79 of the Criminal Procedure Act No 32 of 1965.
Magistrate Ngegba however refused bail and remanded the accused in prison and the matter was adjourned to the 28 July 2023.
