August 22, 2018
By Hassan Gbassay Koroma
The fourth accused in the on-going preliminary investigation into an alleged impersonation of President Julius Maada Bio was yesterday reported to have died in custody.
However, the cause of death was not immediately known as we went to press, already presiding magistrate Santigie Bangura was presented with a copy of the death certificate.
Osman Sesay, (deceased) and three others were charged to court on two counts of conspiracy to defraud and impersonation.
According to the prosecution, all accused persons on Thursday, 12th July, 2018, in Freetown, conspired with unknown individuals to defraud one David Chambers on the pretext that they were acting on behalf of the President of Sierra Leone.
The prosecution further alleges that on the same date and place, the accused persons impersonated David Chambers, through telephone communication with number 088030296/076889577 pretending to be President Julius Maada Bio and his Personal Assistant Abdulia Sesay.
Addressing the Magistrate, Prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police Eric A. Deen, said he had received a death certificate from the Freetown Male Correctional Centre which indicates that the 4th accused (Osman Sesay) died while on remand.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Bangura ordered that the Chief Registrar of Births and Deaths be subpoenaed to tender the death certificate of the accused.
He also issued stern warning for the prosecution to present their witnesses on the next adjourned date and that failure to do so would leave him no option but to discharge the accused persons.
The other accused include Mohamed Osman Sesay, Alhaji Issa Mansaray and Lamin Sorie Sesay