By Janet Sesay
David John Conforter, former DIFID worker, now a businessman, on Monday 6th August 2018 made his first appearance before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Court No.1 for allegedly obtaining ninety thousand pounds sterling (£90,000)from her fiancée for the purpose of building a house at Lakka.
The accused was charged with forty-seven counts of obtaining money by false pretences contrary to section 32(1) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
Court details state that the accused, on diverse dates between 29th February 2012 to 15th November 2016 at Raju Electrical Bureau, Siaka Steven Street, in Freetown, obtained the sum of ninety thousand pounds sterling (£90,000), which is equivalent to nine hundred million Leones(Le 900,000,000 ), from Sonia Michael Varner by falsely pretending that he will build a house for two of them at Lakka.
During proceedings, the prosecutor asked for an adjournment on the grounds that the witness is absent from court.
Lead Defense Counsel, M.S. Bangura, made a bail application on behalf of his client. He cited section 79(3) of the Criminal Procedure Act of 1965, which, he stated, makes the offence bailable.
M.S. Bangura convinced the court that the accused had met the bail conditions at CID and will not interfere with prosecution witnesses because he is not a resident in the country.
He furthered that, on the next adjourned date, he will strongly object to the charges on the charged sheet as they are mere allegations. He told the court that the transaction between the two is purely a civil matter.
The prosecutor, A.Koroma, vehemently objected to bail on the grounds that the offence, which the accused is charged with, is grave considering the quantum of money involved.
He further told the court that the accused is a former DIFID worker and his actual address is not known.
Magistrate Santigie Bangura said he is happy that the accused has not flouted any of the conditions given to him by the C.I.D.
He granted the accused eight hundred million Leones bail and two sureties in like sum. The terms and conditions of the bail further requested that sureties should be resident in Freetown and owners of established businesses. The Deputy Master and registrar should be appropriately briefed.
The matter was adjourned to the 13th August 2018.