By Janet A. Sesay
The Magistrate presiding over Pademba Road Court No. 1 has remanded Alhaji Saiku and Momoud Barrie to the Male Correctional Center in Freetown in connection with an alleged business fraud involving more than Le1.6 million.
The accused persons are before Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah on three counts of obtaining money by false pretences, contrary to Section 32(1) of the Larceny Act 1916; fraudulent conversion, contrary to Section 20(1)(iv)(b) of the Larceny Act 1916; and conspiracy to defraud.
According to the particulars of the offence, between 22nd November, 2025 and 21st April, 2026 at No. 9 Sackville Street, Freetown, the Defendants allegedly obtained Le1,691,750 from Hassan Serry Kamara by falsely claiming they would remit the money to the People’s Republic of China on his behalf to facilitate business transactions, knowing the representation to be false.
The Prosecution is further alleging that the Defendants fraudulently converted the money, which had been entrusted to them for transfer to China, to their own use and benefit.
The third count states that the defendants conspired to defraud the complainant by obtaining the money under the false pretence that they were capable of transferring and delivering the funds as agreed.
The charges were not read to the accused because the second defendant was absent from court.
The Prosecuting Counsel, Elvis Kargbo Esq. applied for a bench warrant for the arrest of the absented Defendant. Magistrate Jah granted the application and ordered that both Defendants be remanded at the Male Correctional Centre.
The Defendants are represented by Jessica M. Jengo Esq., and the matter was adjourned to 24th July, 2026 for further proceedings.