By Janet A. Sesay
Victor Ikechuku Obile, a Nigerian national, was on Thursday 26th November 2020 sent to prison by Magistrate Hannah Bonnie of Court No1 for allegedly duping Kadiatu Kanneh (a registered nurse based in Maryland, United States of America) thirty three thousand United States dollars for a house.
The accused made his first appearance in court and was arraigned for preliminary investigation on three counts charges of conspiracy to defraud, which are contrary to law, fraudulent conversation, which is also contrary to Section 20 (i) (iv) (b) of the Larceny Act of 1916 and obtaining money by false pretenses, equally contrary to Section 32 (1) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the indictment, it was alleged that, the accused, on a dates unknown between the 1st and 18th August 2017, in Freetown, conspired together with other persons unknown to defraud Kadiatu Kanneh thirty three thousand United States dollars, equivalent to the current exchange rate of three hundred and thirty million Leones.
The indictment also states that the accused, on diverse dates between the 1st and 15th November 2017 in Freetown fraudulently converted, to his own use and benefit, a house situated at No.25B Willoughby Lane, Brookfields in Freetown, which was  entrusted to him by Gloria Fanny Peacock for the purpose of sale.
Count three alleges that the accused, on diverse dates between Friday 4th and Wednesday 30th August 2017, in Freetown, with intent to defraud, obtained thirty three thousand United States dollars from the complaint by falsely pretending that he had a house for sale, which is known to be false.
When the charges were read by the court clerk, to the accused, no plea was taken and no legal representation was made on his behalf.
Inspector D.A. Taylor, prosecuting the matter, informed the court that his witness was absent and therefore could not proceed with the matter. Lawyer Sullay Katta is the associating counsel in the matter
Magistrate Bonnie however refused the accused bail due to the serious nature of the offence charged and ordered for him to be remanded in prison. The matter was adjourned to the 1st December 2020 for further hearing.