By Musa Paul Feika
Magistrate Hannah Bonnie of Pademba Road Magistrate Court No. 1 has withdrawn bail from one Mohamed Sheriff, who identified himself as the timber Chairman at Sanda Magboloton Chiefdom in Port-Loko District, for allegedly obtaining money by false pretences and defrauding two hundred and seven seventy thousand timber logs from Kadiatu Kargbo (the complainant).
Paul Barrie, a firsthand witness, has informed the court that he recognizes the accused as well the complainant regarding the matter in question and could recall Saturday 1st July 2017 and the 31st July 2017 respectively.
He continued that while he was on duty at the Sanda Magboloton Police Post, the complainant reported a matter involving two hundred and twenty seventy (227) timber logs timbers to his Commander, Mr. Balla.
Mr. Balla issued a warrant of arrest for the accused.
The witness revealed that they called the witness through her mobile phone but she was not available. But the accused in his response vowed to come back and make statement whenever the complainant made herself available in the police post. This according to him led them to release the accused with the instructions of the Commander, Mr. Balla.
Mr. Barrie furthered that later on the complainant came to them with regard the same matter, but the accused was not there and they contacted him through his telephone but was also not available.
The witness disclosed that the complainant reported the matter at the Port Loko Police Station and made statement at the police station against the accused.
The accused is before the court on two count charges that range from conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretences, which are all contrary to law.
According to the police file sheet, on an unknown date between Saturday 1st July and 31st July 2017 at Timbo Village, in Sanda Magboloton Chiefdom Port-Loko District, Northern Province, the accused conspired with unknown persons to defraud Kadiatu Kargbo, to wit obtaining goods by falsely pretences.
The charge sheet furthered that, on the same date and address with intent to defraud, the accused obtained two hundred and seventy seven timber logs, valued at seven thousand, five hundred United States dollars (US 7,500,00) equivalent to fifty six million, two hundred and fifty one million leones (Le56,25100,000)
The accused was remanded at the Male Correctional Centre and the matter was adjourned to the 13th May, 2019.