By Janet A. Sesay
A Belgian national, Ann Marie Kamaraba, and a Sierra Leonean, Baimaro Bangura, were yesterday, 12th August 2020, dragged to court by a Nigerian national, Bensen Dadi, who is a gold businessman. Bensen Dadi allegedly accused the duo of defrauding him thirty three thousand dollars, which is equivalent to three hundred million Leones. Ann Marie Kamara and Baimaro Bangura purported to have gold for sale, knowing same to be false.
Both accused are before Magistrate Hannah Bonnie of Court No.1 on Pademba Road Freetown on four counts of conspiracy to defraud, two counts of obtaining money and a count of causing money to be paid, which offences are all contrary to the laws of Sierra Leone.
According to the charge sheet, the accused, Ann Marie Kamaraba and Baimaro Bangura, on Wednesday 10th June 2020, in Makeni, with intent to defraud, conspired together with other persons unknown to defraud Bensen Dadi thirty three thousand dollars.
The charge sheet also states that the second accused, Baimaro Bangura, on the same day and place, with intent to defraud, obtained thirty three thousand dollars from Bensen Dadi, by falsely pretending that he has one kilogram gold for sale, which is also false.
The indictment further states that the first accused, Ann Marie Kamaraba, also with intent to defraud, obtained one thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars, by falsely pretending to have one kilogram of gold for sale. This was also proven to be false.
The indictment continues that the first accused, Ann Marie Kamaraba, on Wednesday 10th June 2020, at Makeni, unlawfully caused money to be paid by Bensen Dadi.
Both accused are remanded in custody until the 19th August 2020. ASP Ibrahim Sheik Mansaray is prosecuting the matter.