Forty-six year old Luke Foromo Bereteh a Guinean national made another appearance before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court No.2 on two count charges to wit conspiracy to defraud contrary to law and Obtaining money by false pretenses contrary to section 32 (1) of the Larceny Act 1916.

According to the Particulars of Offence on diverse dates between 1st January, 2020 and 6th October, 2024 in Freetown with intent to defraud conspired together with other persons unknown to commit a crime to wit obtaining money by false pretenses.

Count two further stated that on the same date and place the accused person with intent to defraud obtained the sum of three hundred thousand United States dollars equivalent to seven hundred and twenty million leones (720,000,000) from Ishmael Kondeh by falsely pretending that he is going to do mining on gold and returned same knowing same to be false.

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

Assistant Commissioner of Police Joan M. S. Bull led in Prosecution witness number four Tamba Joseph Gaoga attached to the Criminal Investigations Department Pademba Road Freetown. He said know the complainant and the accused person in the dock.

He recalled on 8th September, 2024 he was on duty at his office when the complainant brought the accused to the station and reported a case of conspiracy to defraud. He said the matter was assigned to him for investigation and he obtained statements from the complainant and witnesses. On the same date and place himself together with DPC 18591 H.M Kamara obtained voluntary caution statement from the accused person in Krio language which was recorded in English language at the conclusion of the statement it was read over and explained to the accused person which he admitted it to be true and correct by appending his right hand thumbprint witnessed by the said investigator and he signed as the recorder the statement was produced and tendered in the court to form part of the court records.

On the 16th September, 2024 in his presence Sub Inspector Hassan Kargbo charged the accused person with the offence of conspiracy to defraud and obtaining money by false pretences they applied used in his cautioned statement the charge statement was produced and tendered in the court to form part of the court records, he concluded.

The witness was cross examined by F.A Kamara Esq.

Meanwhile, Magistrate Bangura adjourned the matter to the 6th April 2025 whilst bail continues for the accused person.