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Mohamed Kamara, a commercial minibus (poda-poda) driver, has been charged with fraudulent conversion after allegedly taking off with a vehicle he was assigned to drive and later returning it in a damaged and stripped condition.
The incident happened on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at the Lumley parking ground in Freetown. Kamara is facing charges under Section 20 (iv)(a) of the Larceny Act of 1916. According to A-Z Newspaper, the sheet alleges that he unlawfully converted several parts and accessories from the minibus that had been entrusted to him for commercial transport.
The items allegedly taken from the vehicle include three wheel tyres valued at Le 7,500, five passenger seats worth Le 9,500, a Danta-labeled vehicle battery valued at Le 1,600, a vehicle key worth Le 2,500, and a fire extinguisher estimated at Le 500. The total estimated value of the missing and damaged property stands at Le 21,600. These items are said to have been removed from the vehicle before it was abandoned.
The case was brought before the Magistrate Court in Freetown, where prosecution witness Joseph Kanu gave testimony. Kanu, who works as an apprentice and lives in Femitoma, Goderich, told the court that both he and Kamara were working under the same vehicle owner at the time of the incident.
He explained that on the day in question, they were operating their usual route between Lumley and Regent Road. At some point during the day, Kamara instructed him to drive the minibus to Waterloo. Upon reaching the location, Kamara reportedly handed him Le 50 and asked him to buy food. However, by the time Kanu returned, Kamara had disappeared with the vehicle.
Kanu said he waited for a while and tried unsuccessfully to contact Kamara. The following morning, he reported the matter to their boss. After a brief search, the vehicle was later discovered abandoned and in a damaged condition, with many parts missing. The complainant filed a report at the nearest police station, which led to Kamara’s arrest and subsequent charge.
During the court appearance, Kamara was remanded in custody pending further hearing.
The matter continues under the jurisdiction of the Freetown Magistrate Court.
