Forty-years-old Mustapha Kargbo, a motor mechanic, has made another appearance before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Pademba road court No.1 in Freetown.

He stood on two count charges to wit Conspiracy contrary to law and Obtaining money by false pretences contrary to section 32 (1) of the Larceny Act 1916.

According to the particulars of offence on Wednesday 17th April 2024 at Lumley Safecon roundabout, west of Freetown as he conspired together and with other persons unknown to commit an offence to wit obtaining money by false pretences.

And on count two the accused person on the said date and place with intent to defraud obtained the sum of six thousand united states dollars which is equivalent to the sum of one hundred and forty six thousand four hundred Leones(146,400).

It was known to be a false pretense, also promising that he had one RAV 4 vehicle for sale knowing same to be false.

When the charge was read and explained to the accused person, no plea taken.

Inspector Mabel Tarawally lead Prosecution witness number one Memunatu Kamara she recognized the accused person in the dock she recall on the 17th April 2024 on the above date along Lumley Safecon gave the accused person the sum of Six thousand united states dollars and physical cash of one thousand five hundred Leones for one RAV 4 vehicle.

The accused person told her that the said vehicle is at Guinea he is going to collect it for her the accused person went to Guinea the following day.

He also told her to send a Laisse Passe for the said vehicle and the witness said she told the accused person she didn’t have it.

And that he should be the one to have it for the said vehicle and would be given by the evening hours.

The accused person called her that he was attacked by gang of men who took the said vehicle and escaped with it and told her that he needed two hundred United States dollars for him to trace the thief. Thee witness said she didn’t inform the accused person that she was going to Guinea.

They kept on talking via the phone but she met the accused person at Pamalap asked him for her vehicle but he didn’t produce it.

She took him to a soldier at the border and the accused person was brought to Freetown. She made statement at Lumley police station.

The witness was cross-examined by C. Campbell Esq he applied for bail for and on behalf of the accused person, confirming that he is a Sierra Leonean resident. And lives within the jurisdiction and he has reliable sureties who are willing and ready to stand on his behalf. He will not interfere with prosecution witness or witnesses nor will he jump bail and he made his application pursuant to section 79 2 of the Criminal procedure Act No.32 of 1965.

Meanwhile, Magistrate Kekura refused bail and sent the accused person to the male correctional facility in Freetown. The matter was adjourned to the 14th May 2024.