By Hassanatu I. Conteh
Thirty-one (31) years old Joseph Abdulai Kamara (alias Jose Morinyo), a business man, and thirty-nine (39) years old Mohamed Koroma (alias Ola Med), a technician and labourer, made another appearance before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Pademba Road Court No.1 in Freetown on four counts charges, to wit, conspiracy to defraud contrary to law, identity theft contrary to section 42 (2) (a) of the Cyber Security and Crime Act, 2021, impersonation contrary to section 42 (2) (b) of the Cyber Security and Crime Act 2021, and obtaining money by fraud other than false pretenses contrary to section 32 (1) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the particulars of offence, on diverse dates between June and October 2023 in Freetown, with intent to defraud the accused persons conspired together and with unknown persons defrauded Abdul Rahman Sesay, Ibrahim Bangura and Mustapha Sannoh the sum of Le151,000 (one hundred and fifty-one thousand leones[NLe151]) worth of Orange Money through SIM numbers 073534308, 075658130 and 072057052 purporting to be the Deputy Minister of Local Government, Honourable Alfred Jamiru, knowing same to be false.
On count two, on the above date and place the accused persons with intent to defraud did use the names and photos of senior citizens as profile pictures in the person of Honourable Alfred Jamiru, Deputy Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, through social media via with the said Orange Money numbers, defrauded the said complainant purporting to be the said minister, knowing same to be false.
The accused persons also, on the above date and place, fraudulently obtained Le151,000 (one hundred and fifty-one thousand leones [NLe151]) via the said Orange Money numbers purporting to be the said minister, knowing same to be false.
,When the charges were read and explained to the accused persons, no plea was taken.
Counsel representing the second accused person, I. Turay Esq, applied for bail for and on behalf of the second accused, saying the accused is a Sierra Leonean resident within this jurisdiction; that he has reliable sureties who are willing and ready to enter his cognisance and that he will not interfere with prosecution witness or witnesses, nor will he jump bail.
He made his application pursuant to section 79 2 of the Criminal Procedure Act No.32 of 1965.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Kekura granted the second accused person bail in the sum of Le500,000 (five hundred thousand leones [NLe500]) with two sureties in like sum who are to be employed in a government institution in Sierra Leone, having valid identity card/s depicting his or her address in Freetown. Bail is to be approved by the Deputy Assistant Registrar.
The bench warrant is still in force for the first accused person, who was absent in court.
The matter was adjourned to 16th April, 2024.