Thirty years old Alimamy Sesay a business man and Mohamed Thullah a business man made their first appearance before Magistrate Mark Ngegba of Pademba Road Court No.1 in Freetown on three count charges to wit Conspiracy to defraud contrary to law, Obtaining money by false pretences contrary to Section 32 (1) of the Larceny Act 1916 and Causing Money to be paid to another with intent to defraud contrary to Section 32 (2) of the Larceny Act 1916.
According to the particulars of offence on a date unknown between 10th to 17th March 2023, in Freetown within to defraud conspired together and with other persons unknown to commit a crime to wit Obtaining money by false pretences on count two the first accused person Alimamy Sesay on the 18th March at Radisson Blu Hotel, Aberdeen the Western Area in Freetown, with intent to defraud obtained the sum of Thirty Thousand United States Dollars, equivalent to the sum of Six Hundred and Sixty Thousand Leone (660,000) with the pretext that you have eight hundred and eleven grams of gold dust for sale knowing same to be false, on count three at the same place and date the second accused, Mohamed Thullah with intent to defraud unlawfully caused money to be paid by Ricardo Weka Bobuakasi to wit Thirty Thousand United States Dollars equivalent to Six Hundred and Sixty Thousand Leones(660,000) to one alias pastor who purported to be selling gold, knowing same to be false.
The charges were read and explained to the accused persons no plea was taken on count one and two the second accused pleaded not guilty on count three.
The prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Ibrahim S. Mansaray told the court that his witness is absent and seek for a short adjournment date.
The lead counsel, Jessie M Jengo representing the accused persons, applied for bail for and on their behalf on grounds that they are Sierra Leoneans resident within this jurisdiction that they are not flight risk, nor will they interfere with prosecution witness or witnesses. He said that they have reliable sureties who are willing and ready to go into recognisance on their behalf. He made his application pursuant to Section 79 2 of the Criminal Procedure Act No.32 of 1965.
Meanwhile Magistrate Ngegba refused both accused persons bail and sent them to the Male Correctional Centre on Pademba Road in Freetown. The matter was adjourned to the Friday 28th April 2023 for further hearing.
