Two Lawyers Granted Le3 Billion Bail Each in Vehicle Fraud Case

Two lawyers accused of defrauding a man of three Toyota 4Runner vehicles valued at US$114,000 have been granted bail in the sum of Le3 billion each.

Barrister Maurice Jenner Mohamed Seisay, 34, and Barrister John Mans, 35, appeared before Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah at Pademba Road Magistrate Court No. 1 in Freetown on Monday.

The two are facing two counts of conspiracy to defraud and obtaining property by false pretences, contrary to Section 32(1) of the Larceny Act, 1916.

According to court documents, between November 1 and 30, 2023, at Harding Sesay and Partners Law Firm on Dundas Street in Freetown, the accused allegedly conspired with others unknown to defraud Bockarie Conteh. They are accused of obtaining three Toyota 4Runner vehicles on the pretext that payment would be made within 30 working days, knowing the representation to be false.

No plea was taken from the accused as the matter is currently before the court for committal proceedings.

During the hearing, State Prosecutor Yusuf Isaac Sesay Esq. raised concerns about the procedure adopted by the defence in filing a notice indicating its intention to cross-examine prosecution witnesses. He argued that the notice was not filed in accordance with the law and that the prosecution had not prepared its witnesses for cross-examination.

Defence counsel Jessie M. Jengo Esq. acknowledged the procedural oversight, explaining that the defence had failed to withdraw an earlier notice. He urged the court not to allow technicalities to defeat the interests of justice.

Magistrate Jah ordered the defence to comply with the relevant legal provisions. However, he granted bail to both accused persons in the sum of Le3 billion each, with two sureties in like sum.

The magistrate ordered that the sureties must be Sierra Leonean nationals and must produce valid identification cards clearly indicating their addresses in Freetown. The bail conditions are to be approved by the Deputy Assistant Registrar.

The matter has been adjourned to August 17, 2026, for further proceedings.