Fifty-four-year-old Lahai David Jimmy has been granted bail in the sum of Le5,000 after appearing before Magistrate Sahr Kekura at the Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown.

Jimmy faces charges of conspiracy to defraud and causing money to be paid, offenses under the Larceny Act of 1916.The charges relate to an incident that took place between July 1 and August 3, 2024.

According to the prosecution, Jimmy, in collaboration with unknown individuals, allegedly defrauded Frances Foday, an employee of the National Insurance Company (NIC), of $5,000.

The fraud reportedly occurred after Jimmy offered to sell her a Toyota RAV4 under false pretenses.Foday testified that she was shown a picture of the vehicle and, after inspecting it with a mechanic, agreed to buy it.

However, after she handed over the $5,000, one of Jimmy’s accomplices vanished, and the car was never delivered. Jimmy was arrested following a tip-off from his nephew and was later identified by Foday as the key figure in the fraudulent scheme.

Despite being unrepresented by legal counsel, Jimmy was granted bail, and the matter was adjourned to September 11, 2024. Inspector Sellu TAP is leading the prosecution in this case.