By Janet A. Sesay
Principal Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah of the Pademba Road Court No. 1 has committed Osman Japtay to the High Court in Freetown to stand trial over the alleged fraudulent conversion of US$12,000.
Japtay is charged with one count of fraudulent conversion, contrary to Section 20(1)(iv)(b) of the Larceny Act, 1916.
According to the indictment, on 21 April 2026 at Lumley Street, Freetown, the accused allegedly fraudulently converted to his own use US$12,000, equivalent to Le288,000, which had been entrusted to him by Abdul Rahman Barrie for delivery to Mohamed Bluba Jagitay.
At his initial court appearance, Japtay did not enter a plea after the charge was read to him.
In committing the matter to the High Court, Magistrate Jah said he had carefully considered the prosecution’s evidence, including the testimonies of witnesses and the statement made by the accused to the police.
He noted that the witnesses’ testimonies corroborated one another and established a sufficient basis for the accused to stand trial before the High Court. He further observed that all prosecution witnesses testified in the presence of the accused, who was afforded the opportunity to cross-examine each of them.
Magistrate Jah subsequently committed the matter to the High Court for further trial and ordered that Japtay be remanded at the Male Correctional Centre pending the continuation of proceedings before the High Court.