Forty-four-year-old Crispin Kelvin Decker, a businessman, made his first appearance before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court No.2 in Freetown on four counts: conspiracy to defraud contrary to law, two counts of obtaining money by false pretenses contrary to Section 32(1) of the Larceny Act 1916, and two counts of causing money to be paid by false pretenses contrary to Section 32(1) of the Larceny Act 1916.

According to the particulars of the offense, between March 1 and March 30, 2024, at Dundas Street in the western area of Freetown, Decker conspired with others unknown to defraud Juliana Pratt and Saudiatu Janjue Brown.

The second count stated that on the same date and place, Decker, with intent to defraud, obtained $2,000 (equivalent to 48,000 Leones) and 30,000 Leones from Juliana Pratt by falsely promising to provide a Canadian visa and facilitate travel to Canada for her children, Victor Pratt and Fatmata Kanu. He knew these claims to be false.

The third count stated that on the same date and place, Decker, with intent to defraud, obtained 12,000 Leones from Saudiatu Janjue Brown by falsely promising to provide a Canadian visa and facilitate travel to Canada, knowing this claim to be false.

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The fourth count stated that on the same date and place, Decker, with intent to defraud, unlawfully caused Juliana Pratt to pay $2,000 (equivalent to 48,000 Leones) and 30,000 Leones as payment for her children’s travel process to Canada, knowing this to be false.

The fifth count stated that on the same date and place, Decker, with intent to defraud, unlawfully caused Saudiatu Janjue Brown to pay 12,000 Leones as payment for her travel process to Canada, knowing this to be false. When the charges were read and explained to Decker, he did not enter a plea.

Sergeant 8811 Florence M. Wilson led the prosecution, with witness number one, Juliana Pratt, a caterer, stating that she knew Decker through her friend Alimatu. She recalled that between March 1 and March 30, 2024, Decker approached her, claiming to work at the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) and wearing a WAEC tie. He offered to help her, claiming that WAEC had scholarship programs.

The next day, Decker met her at home, and she called Alimatu to witness their discussion. Decker reiterated to her and Alimatu that he was collaborating with the Ministry of Education and WAEC to provide overseas scholarships. He promised to help her in exchange for twenty thousand Leones. Three days later, she gave Decker ten thousand Leones in Alimatu’s presence and the balance of fifteen thousand Leones the following Monday, also in Alimatu’s presence. Decker then asked for her child’s passport, identity card, academic results, and yellow card, which she provided.

Two days later, Decker brought an identity card and a T-shirt with her child’s name and student number, saying these were for the program’s interview. He promised to refund the money if the program did not succeed, and stated that her child would leave for Canada on April 27, 2024.

A week later, Decker claimed another spot had opened up, but at a higher price. Pratt informed her sister, and Decker asked for $3,000 for her sister’s daughter, promising that the scholarship package was why it was not expensive. Pratt paid Decker $2,000 and five thousand Leones in Alimatu’s presence. Decker told them to prepare the children for their flight to Canada.

On April 27, 2024, Pratt could not reach Decker. He claimed to be busy, and on April 30, 2024, he told her he had been detained at Central Police Station. Pratt went to the police station to bail Decker at his request but was informed that he was detained for obtaining money for a travel program. Pratt immediately reported Decker to the police. Her children did not travel, and Decker has not refunded her money.

At this juncture, the prosecutor requested a short adjournment, which was granted. Meanwhile, Magistrate Bangura denied bail and remanded Decker to the male correctional facility in Freetown.