April 11, 2016 By Hawa Amara
General Manager of Radisson Blu-Mamy Yoko Hotel,Nuno Neves, last week appeared at the Freetown Magistrates’ Court to testify against one Hassine Benfrej, Tunisian international consultant, who allegedly incurred debt amounting to Le182, 674, 717 by means of fraud at the plush five star hotel.
The accused was arraigned at the Freetown Magistrates’ Court No.1, presided over by Magistrate Dr. Abou Bhakarr Binneh-Kamara, on one count of obtaining credit under false pretences, contrary to section 13(1) of the Debtor’s Act 1869.
According to the particulars of offence, the accused on diverse dates between 7 November 2015 and 25 February 2016 incurred debts or liability at the Radisson Blu to the complainant to the amount stated above, by means of fraud.
In his testimony, Mr. Neves told the court that the accused was a guest at the hotel for more than four months and that they had a moutual understanding he would pay his bill at the end of stay.
However, he said the accused failed to pay his bills, despite several reminders, which prompted him to report the matter at the Criminal Investigation Department headquarters.
Statement of bills owed to the hotel by the accused was tendered in court as exhibit C1-3.
Therefafter, the magistrate adjourned the matter to allow the defence counsel to prepare a submission objecting to tendering the statement of the bill as evidence.
The accused was granted bail though in the sum of Le200m plus one surety in like sum, with the latter required to produce a National Passport and title deed of a realty or bank statement of deposit not below Le100m, to be approved by the Master and Registrar of the High Court.
However, the accused was unable to meet the bail condition as at press time.