By Janet A Sesay
An Independent Member of Parliament for Constituency 001 in Kailahun District, Hon Emilia Lolloh Tongi, on Wednesday 24th June, 2020 testified before Magistrate Hannah Bonnie of Court No. 2 about how she was duped by one Tejan Conteh, who has over two similar files on fraud before the court.
Hon Emilia Tongi in her testimony recognized the accused and recalled Monday 11th May 2020. On that day, the MP said she went in search of a tipper truck together with her nephew Staff Sergeant Norman at Levuma Beach, Goderich, where they met the accused who told them he had one for sale.
Hon. Emilia Tongi said that relying on what the accused had told them, she instructed her nephew and security to go and examine the said vehicle, which she said they did and later reported to her that it was in a very good working condition.
The MP testified that after she had negotiated with the accused for the vehicle, she promised to pay the accused the money they agreed on, adding that on Monday 11th May 2020, herself, the accused and her nephew went to Guarantee Trust Bank (GTBank) on Wilberforce Street, Freetown where she withdrew Le70million.
Hon. Tongi said after withdrawing the money, she gave Le50 million to the accused and the remaining Le20 million to her nephew for safe keeping before she took them in her vehicle to Kissy where the accused had claimed the vehicle was.
The witness testified that on their arrival at Kissy Old Road where the accused said the vehicle was parked, the accused offered her a chair and said he would give her a receipt of payment for the Le50 million he had received from her as payment for the vehicle.
Hon Tongi said whilst she was waiting together with her nephew and security, the accused ran away with the Le50 million, adding that she immediately reported the matter to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters that used cyber system to apprehend him in Makeni through his wife.
The witness said when the accused was arrested and brought to the CID Headquarters in Freetown, he returned Le10 million but made no effort to return the remaining Le40 million.
The MP said during the investigation, she realized that the vehicle did not belong to the accused and she made a statement to the police regarding what she discovered.
The accused was arraigned in court on one count charge of obtaining money by false pretence contrary to Section 32(1) of the Larceny Act 1916.
According to the indictment, the accused on Monday 11th May, 2020 at the Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB) Wilberforce Street, Freetown, with intent to defraud obtained Le50 million from Hon. Emilia Lolloh Tongi with the pretext of having one Mercedes Benz Truck vehicle for sale, knowing same to be false.
The matter was prosecuted by ASP Ibrahim Sheikh Mansaray, whilst Lawyer I. Macfoy defended the accused.
Magistrate Bonnie refused the accused bail and the matter was adjourned to 1stJulyfor further hearing.