State House Director of Estates, Zaino Deen Karim, Director of Finance at Petroleum Directorates; and Williams Forbie, a former Salcab engineer have appeared before magistrate Santigie Bangura of the Pademba Road Court for allegedly obtaining Le46m and a Nissan vehicle from Daniel Sellu for the investment of a fiber optic project for profit.

The accused were arraigned on two charges of fraudulent conversion contrary to the Larceny Act of 1916.

According to the charge sheet, it was alleged that the accused persons, between 1st January and 31st December 2020, in Freetown, fraudulently converted to their use or benefit Le46m and one Nissan vehicle valued at $15,000 equivalent to Le150m obtained from Daniel Sellu to invest in a fiber optic project knowing same to be false.

During proceedings, defense counsel representing the accused persons, Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai stated in court that media publications indicated that his clients were involved in fraud while the charges did not point to such a claim and would like the magistrate to look into the matter. Counsel Charles Williams who represents the complainant, Daniel Sellu said the charge indicated fraudulent conversion which means “it is a fraud matter.”

He urged the magistrate to look at the story written by the journalists to know whether there was a contempt of court. Magistrate Bangura however asked that the lawyer should bring the papers to him so that he could read through it to know if there was any contempt.

Meanwhile, the witness was about to tender pictures of the said vehicle but was asked to wait by the court until the next hearing. All accused persons are on bail and the matter was adjourned to 19th February 2024.