Brian Hindowa Sama, a businessman, 34, 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 1916.

According to the particulars of offence, sometimes in October 2024 at UBA Bank, Lumley branch in the western area in Freetown, fraudulently converted to his personal use or benefit certain property that is to say fifty thousand leones (Le50,000) entrusted to him by Fatmata Abu for the purpose of doing business.

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

The Prosecutor DPC 18235 Thoronka K.K, led in prosecution witness number one Fatmata Abu, a student told the court that she knows the accused through her friend Ibrahim Jalloh. She recalled the period between 1st and 30th October, 2024 something transpired between herself and the accused person. The witness said she told the accused that she wanted to do business but did not know what to invest in. She added that her friend then told her that the accused is a businessman who can help her. The witness said before that, she had been seeing the accused advertising perfume products on his Whatsapp status. She furthered that herself and her friend then contacted the accused and that when she enquired from him about the business, the accused told her that if she invests the fifty thousand leones she would be able to gain a profit of the same but he could only give her twenty five thousand since he could be selling the goods. The witness said two days after; she gave the accused the fifty thousand leones but told the accused that she did not personally own the money. She said the accused promised pay her back her money by 31st January, 2025. The witness said she kept reminding the accused about their arrangements at the end of December, 2024 but told the court stated since then she could not reach the accused because he had refused to answer her calls as well as responding to his messages.  The witness said upon that, she called Ibrahim Jalloh who introduced the accused to her to be arrested he then showed up at the police station where he was arrested and she made statement to the police at Ross Road Police Station she concluded.

Counsel representing the accused person M.I Kamara Esq. cross examined the witness and applied for bail for and on behalf of the accused that he is a Sierra Leonean resident within this jurisdiction that he has reliable sureties who are willing and ready to go into recognizance on his behalf and will not interfere with prosecution witness or witnesses nor will he jump bail. He made his application pursuant to section 79 (2) of the Criminal Procedure Act No.32 of 1965.

Meanwhile, Magistrate Bangura granted bail to the accused in the sum of fifty thousand leones with two sureties in like sum and sureties to be resident in Freetown and to produce valid identity cards depicting their addresses in Freetown, bail to be approved by the Deputy assistant Registrar. Matter was adjourned to the 24th February, 2025.