September 26, 2017 By Ibrahim K. Turay
Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Magistrates’ Court No.1 yesterday remanded one Hassan Swarray at the Pademba Road Male Correctional Centre in Freetown.
Hassan Swarray was charged with one count of obtaining money by false pretense contrary to section 13(1) of the Offence Act 1869.
Prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), T.M Bangura, told the court that sometimes in July, 2017, at Queen Elizabeth II Quay in Cline town, Freetown, the accused, obtained the sum of twelve million Leones (Le12m) from Kai Mbombor by false pretense, contrary to the laws of Sierra Leone.
Explaining his ordeal, first prosecution witness (PWI), Kai Mbombor, said the accused was staying with him for over one year.
“He came one evening and told me that one of his friends has a car to sell. He requested the sum of 12 million Leones to clear it at the port. He told me that after the car is sold, they will share the proceeds. Because we were together for a year, I trusted him and gave him the 12 Million Leones,” he told the court.
He also told the court that they went to the port and cleared the car and took it to his house because he was supposed to do some repairs on it.
“When I finish repairing the car, the accused came along with a lady, whom he claimed had wanted to buy the car. I handed it over to him to conduct a test ride. Since that day, I did not see the accused until I decided to post his photos on social media,” he explained to the court.
He told the court that he was at home when someone, who had seen the posted photos on Facebook, called and informed him that the accused was in police custody at the Ross Road Police Station for another criminal offense.
He added that when he went to the police station, he asked the accused about his Le12 million, but he replied that he had used it.
“I made my report to the police and I was asked to make a statement which I did,” he told the court.
There was no legal representation for both the complainant and the accused persons as the matter was adjourned to 29th September, 2017.