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Last December 2021, Mohamed Munya Lahun was arraigned before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Pademba Road Court No.1 on three count charges ranging from conspiracy to defraud contrary to law, obtaining money by false pretenses and obtaining money by false pretenses contrary to Section 32(1) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
Police alleged that the accused on different dates between 1st October 2021 to 10th November 2021 at Kabba Drive, Bathurst, back of Regent in the Mountain Rural Judicial District in the Western Area of the Republic of Sierra Leone conspired with other persons unknown to defraud Mary Kaillie the sum of $2,800 equivalent to the sum of Le28,000,000/00, with intent to defraud obtained the sum of $2,000 equivalent to Le20,000,000/00 from Mary Kaillie by falsely pretending that he was sent by David Francis in the United States of America to receive part payment for 2 mobile phones knowing the same to be false. Also, with intent to defraud obtained the sum of $500 equivalent to Le5,000,000/00 from Mary Kaillie by falsely pretending that he was sent by David Francis in the United States of America to receive part payment for two mobile phones knowing the same to be false.
Prosecution Witness 1, Mary Matinda Kaillie, testifying in court said that she knows the accused person in relation to the matter. She stated that she remembered what happened on the 1st of October 2021 – 10th of November 2021. The witness recalled that on and between the said dates, the accused person went to her house with a black Jeep. Though the witness said that she could not remember the number of the Jeep, she disclosed that the accused was wearing an OSD attire which was labeled ASP Lahun. The witness also mentioned that the accused told her that he was sent by David Francis in order to receive money from her to buy some goods.
Because the witness could not specify what kinds of goods, Magistrate Sahr Kekura told the prosecuting counsel to choose a date so that they can have a proper meeting with the witness before the adjourned date.
Before announcing the adjourned date, the representative for the defense counsel, Lawyer M. M Tejan made an application for bail pursuant to Section 79(2) (3) of the Criminal Procedure Act No. 32 of 1965. Upon hearing the application for bail from the defense, Magistrate Sahr Kekura stated that fraud is an alarming issue that is on the increase and further stated that the defense is not certain as to which subsection the application is tied.
Lawyer M.M. Tejan is representing the defense counsel for the accused person whilst Lawyer M. P George, Lawyer C. Kabia and Lawyer A. I Bangura are associating with ASP I. S Mansaray for the prosecuting counsel.
