By Hassanatu I. Conteh
Fifty-three year old Francis Turner, a fisherman made another appearance before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Pademba Road Court No.1 in Freetown, on three count charges to wit: conspiracy to commit a crime, obtaining money by false pretense contrary to Section 32 (1) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the particulars of offence, on Friday, 22nd June 2024, in Freetown, with intent to defraud, the accused conspired with other persons unknown to commit a crime to wit; obtaining money by false pretenses. Count two states that on the same date and place, the accused person with intent to defraud obtained from Augusta Williams the sum of Sixty-six Thousand Leones (66,000), with the pretext that he has two town lots of land situated lying at Hamilton village for sale at the cost of One Hundred and Forty Thousand Leones (Le 140,000) knowing same to be false, and count two states that on the same date and place, the accused with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of Seventy-four Thousand Leones (Le 74,000), with the pretext that he has two town lots of land situated lying at Hamilton village for sale at the cost of One Hundred and Forty Thousand Leones (Le 140,000), knowing same to be false.
When the charge was read and explained to the accused person no plea taken. Assistant Superintendent of Police, Ibrahim S. Mansaray, led the Prosecution witness No. 1, Augusta Williams, a civil servant who said he came to know the accused person through one Pastor Bundu.
She recalled the 22nd 2018, and that it was Pastor Bundu who led her to the accused person and one Morlai at Hamilton. She said they met at the house of Morlai, where the accused told them that he has a piece and parcel of land which his father had left for him. The witness added that she informed the accused that she was not interested in purchasing a land that could be problematic.
The witness continued that the accused produced a document to her and Pastor Bundu and he later led them to the piece of land which he identified to them. She said they returned to the house of Morlai and that she asked the accused how much he is selling the land and that the accused replied that he is demanding One Hundred and Forty Thousand Leones. She said that the following week she gave the accused Sixty-eight Thousand Leones in the presence of Pastor Bundu and she said the accused issued her receipt of advance payment.
At this juncture the Prosecutor sought for a short adjournment date. Counsel representing the accused person, C. Jombo renewed and adopted his previous bail application on behalf of the accused person.
Meanwhile Magistrate Kekura granted bail to the accused person in the sum of Two Hundred Thousand Leones, or one surety in like sum and the surety must be resident in Freetown and must produce a valid identity card depicting his or her address in Freetown and must be employed by a recognized institution in Freetown and should show proof of his or her employment letters and the bail to the approved by the Deputy Assistant Registrar. The matter was adjourned to 29th January, 2025.