Twenty-seven years old Andrew Kai O. John a businessman made his first appearance before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road court No.2 in Freetown on a count charge of fraudulent conversion contrary to section 20 (1) (iv) (a) of the Larceny Act of 1916.

According to the particulars of offence, sometimes in June 2024 at Walpole Street in the western area, he fraudulently converted to his own use or benefit certain property that is to say, one red Mercury machine with serial number 4827 valued twenty seven thousand five hundred leones s(27,500) entrusted to him by Mohamed Lappia for the purpose of commercial use.

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

Sergeant 3379 T Ballay led the prosecution witness number one Mohamed Lappia a military officer, said he came to know the accused around the area. He recalled sometime in June 2024 something transpired between himself and the accused when he approached him and told him that he want to do business with him. He said the accused asked him to get him a Mercury machine. He said he later told him that he had a particular machine for him to buy.  The witness told the court that he met the Mercury officer and brought the machine at the cost of twenty seven thousand five hundred Leones which he said he handed over to the accused and they agreed that the accused has to pay for it 50,000/00 in installment and 5000/00 per month and payment to be completed in one year. The witness said the accused paid him 3000/00 once in September 2024 and since then he has not given him any money despite several requests from him and that the accused has not returned the Mercury machine to him. He said that he reported the matter to the Mercury officer and at the police station he concluded.

The witness was cross examined by A.N.D Musa Esq. and applied for bail on behalf of the accused.

Meanwhile Magistrate Bangura refused bail and sent the accused to the male correctional facility in Freetown noting that the accused is a flight risk and the offence he committed is serious. He adjourned the matter to 12th March, 2025.