By Hassanatu I. Conteh
Two accused persons, Maurice Jenner Mohamed Sesay and John Mans, have made their first appearance before Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah of Pademba Road Magistrate Court No. 1 in Freetown on two counts of conspiracy to defraud and obtaining property by false pretences.
According to the charge sheet, the accused persons are alleged to have conspired together with other persons unknown between 1st and 30th November, 2023 at Harding Sesay and Partners Law Firm, No. 49 Dundas Street, Freetown, with intent to defraud.
The second count states that the accused persons, on diverse dates between 1st and 20th November, 2023 at the same address, allegedly obtained three Toyota 4Runner vehicles valued at One Hundred and Fourteen Thousand United States Dollars (US$114,000) from Bockarie Conteh on the pretext that they would pay for the vehicles within 30 working days, knowing the representation to be false.
When the matter was mentioned, State Prosecutor Y.I. Sesay informed the court that the matter was coming up for the first time. He said the prosecution had complied with Section 112 of the Criminal Procedure Act by serving the defence with the case file and applied for an adjournment to enable both the prosecution and the defence to be on the same footing before the commencement of the trial.
Defence Counsel J.M. Jengo applied for bail on behalf of the first and second accused persons pursuant to Section 76(1)(c) of the Criminal Procedure Act. Counsel submitted that the accused persons reside within the court’s jurisdiction, have fixed places of abode, are gainfully employed and have employees under their supervision. He further submitted that they have practiced in the legal profession for over 11 years and have prosecuted numerous criminal matters before the courts. Counsel argued that if bail is refused, they could be detained at the correctional centre alongside persons they had previously prosecuted. Counsel also informed the court that the first accused person is unwell and urged the court to admit both accused persons to bail.
After listening to both sides, Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah refused the bail application and ordered that both accused persons be remanded in custody until the prosecution’s witness is heard.
The matter was adjourned to 10th August, 2026 for further hearing.