By Aminata Phidelia Allie
Isha Tejan-Sie, a matron at the Annie Walsh Memorial Secondary School boarding home has pleaded guilty to converting to her own use, monies paid to her by parents as boarding fees for their children.
Speaking from the witness box, she told Magistrate Steven Conteh that it was only out of "humanitarian feelings" that she took monies from most of the parents as their children were not qualified to be in the boarding facility.
Jane Seajan-Bangura, a pupil of the home, who testified as 3rd prosecution witness said she was in school in January this year when her sister handed her boarding fees to the accused, who claimed she had a personal relationship with the principal.
The witness said she was instructed by the accused to bring her belongings the next day as the place in the home would be ready. She told the court that “a few days later some of us were asked out of the boarding home for non-payment of fees”.
Her sister, Sheikanatu Seajan-Bangura, told the court that when Jane called to tell her that she had been thrown out of the home she immediately rushed to the place to have a word with the accused who told her the girl’s fees had been stolen from her but that she would refund the money later in the day.
The Matron is facing three counts of fraudulent conversion contrary to the larceny act of 1916.
The prosecution alleges that on diverse dates between 10 November 2012 and 20 January 2013, the accused fraudulently converted to her own use the sum of Le 4.7 million.
She was remanded in custody and the matter was adjourned to 21 May 2013.
