By Abass Jalloh
Magistrate Mark Ngegba of Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown has remanded Saio Kamara, Joseph Kamara, and Josephine Kamara for allegedly defrauding Alhaji Ibrahima Sorie Jalloh the sum of OLe 385,000,000 (three hundred and eighty-five million Old Leones) for a piece of seven town lots of land at Hastings in the east part of Freetown.
Yesterday October 13, Magistrate Ngegba refused a bail application by Lawyer Hindolo Moiwo Gevao on behalf of the accused persons, stating that when the evidence is “halfway”, a bail would not be granted.
Saio, 65, Joseph, 36, and Josephine, 30, face charges of Conspiracy to Defraud and Obtaining Money by False Pretences contrary to section 32 of the Larceny Act of 1916.
Count one stated that the accused between Wednesday 29th December 2021 and Wednesday 2nd February 2022 at No. 31 Old Railway Line, Brookfields, Freetown, conspired together with intent to defraud by pretending to possess seven town lots of land at Hastings, Freetown, for sale, knowing same to be false.
On count two, they between the same dates and place with intent to defraud obtained the sum of OLe 170,000,000 (one hundred and seventy million Leones) from the complainant, Jalloh, by falsely pretending that they had the same piece of land for sale knowing same to be false.
Count three says they between the same dates and place with intent to defraud obtained the sum of OLe 215,000,000 (two hundred and fifteen million Leones) from the complainant by falsely pretending that they had a piece of the same land for sale, knowing same to be false.
In his testimony, led by Sergeant Dwight Macarthy, Jalloh, 75, who resides at 105 Jabbie Street, Calaba Town, Freetown, told the court that he is currently unemployed and that he stays at home.
He said he came to know the accused persons in this matter through one lawyer named Francis.
Recalling between the stated dates, the complainant said the first accused (Saio) called and informed him that they had land for sale. He said he then asked if they had papers for that and they told him they had.
‘’We wanted to see the land and we went to Hastings’’, the complainant said, adding that after seeing the land they went with the papers to lawyer Francis.
According to the complainant, Francis asked if the land owner left a will, and advised that papers needed to be made. They went on to make the papers in which were presented and tendered in court.
According to the complainant, OLe 385,000,000 (three hundred and eighty-five million Leones) was what they agreed for the seven town lots.
He noted that he made a first payment of OLe 170,000,000 (one hundred and seventy million Leones) to one Lawyer Fornah who gave it to Saio with a receipt.
The complainant added that the second payment was OLe 215,000,000 (two hundred and fifteen million Leones) for which himself and Saio signed.
For the second receipt to be presented and tendered, Sergeant Macarthy requested for an adjournment since the complainant failed to bring the said receipt to court. The matter comes up on Monday 17th October 2022.
Copyright © 2022 Politico Online (14/10/22)
