Bassieru Samura, a tiller by profession, has been incarcerated at the Male Correctional Facility on Pademba Road, Freetown, over allegations of fraudulent conversion. Samura’s initial appearance was before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Pademba Road Court No. 2, where he faced a singular charge of fraudulent conversion.

Court records reveal that on April 27, 2024, on Big Waterloo Street in Freetown, Samura is accused of appropriating for his own use two winning Mercury tickets. Each ticket was valued at one thousand two hundred and twenty-two Leones (1,222), totaling two thousand four hundred and forty-four Leones (2,444). These tickets had been entrusted to him by Kadiru Kaindakarr Sesay for delivery.

During the court proceedings, the charges were read and explained, but Samura did not enter a plea due to the preliminary stage of the investigation. The complainant, Kadiru Kaindakarr Sesay, testified under oath, identifying the accused as his roommate. Sesay, a retailer at Mercury International, recounted that on April 27, 2024, he played 12 tickets for Daniel Vandy. Finding Vandy asleep, Sesay entrusted Samura with the task of delivering the tickets to Daniel, who would then hand them over to Vandy.

However, it was later discovered that two of the tickets had won. When Sesay reminded Daniel about the winning tickets, he learned that Samura had not delivered all the tickets. It became evident that Samura had retained the winning tickets. Unable to produce the tickets or the money, Sesay reported the matter to the Central Police Station.

Sesay valued the tickets at two thousand four hundred and fifty-four Leones and provided a statement to the police. The accused has not yet been cross-examined in court.

Magistrate Bangura has ordered Samura to be remanded in custody and adjourned the case to July 25, 2024.