By Janet A. Sesay
Diallo Abou Dgiby, a Senegalese national, together with Mohammed Husain Shilon and Ignatus Thomas yesterday made their second appearance before Magistrate Marke Ngegba of Pademba Road Court No.2.
They are alleged to have conspired together to defraud one Malik Chennam one hundred and ninety-six thousand United States dollars (US$ 196,000.00), equivalent of one billion, nine hundred and six million, six hundred thousand leones (Le1, 906,600,000) by falsely pretending that they have five kilograms of gold for sale.
The accused were arraigned on seven counts of conspiracy to defraud, obtaining money by false pretence and money laundering, which are all contrary to Section 15(2)(a) of the Anti-money Laundering and Combating of Financing of Terrorism Act No.2 of 2012.
The court details state that the accused, on Friday 21st February 2020 at 33 Circular Road in Freetown, participated in the acquisition of property, one hundred and thirty-two thousand United States dollars (US$132, 000), which is equivalent to one billion, three hundred and twenty million leones (Le 1, 320,000,) knowing that the property was derived directly from an unlawful activity.
The court details also state that the accused, on Tuesday, 25th February, 2020 at Marjay Town, Goderich in the outskirts of Freetown, directly engaged in a transaction of two thousand United States dollars (US$ 2,000), which is equivalent to two hundred million leones (Le 200,000,000) for the purchase of five kilograms of gold.
The State Prosecutor, Adrian Fisher, sought for a date as, according to him, the witness cannot speak English and that they need an interpreter to help the court with the language of the witness.
The accused were denied bail by the Magistrate and the matter was adjourned to the 3rd April, 2020.