By: Alimatu Kargbo
A 42-year-old businessman, Sheka Kargbo, made another appearance before Magistrate John Manso Fornah of Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown, where he faces two counts: conspiracy to defraud, contrary to law, and obtaining money by pretense, contrary to Section 32(1) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the particulars of the offense, between 1st July and 1st October 2025, in Freetown, Western Area, the accused conspired with other persons unknown to commit a crime, specifically, obtaining money by pretense.
On the second count, it was alleged that during the same period and at the same place, the accused, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of seventeen thousand United States dollars (US$17,000), equivalent to four hundred and sixteen thousand, five hundred Leones (Le 416,500), from Lateef Belo Osagie by falsely pretending that he had five kilograms of gold bars for sale, knowing such representation to be false.
When the charges were read and explained to the accused, no plea was taken.
Led in evidence by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Dialla Wellington, prosecution witness number two, Sheka Kargbo, a civil servant attached to the Ministry of Local Government at the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Youyi Building, Sixth Floor, testified that he recognized the accused as a friend.
He recounted that on 1st October 2025, while he was in his office around 11:00 a.m., the accused called him, inquiring whether he was at work. Upon confirmation, the accused further asked if there was any available office space, explaining that one of his superiors intended to hold a meeting. The witness informed him that the only available room was an abandoned office.
The accused later came to inspect the office, found it suitable, and, with the witness’s assistance, they dusted and arranged the space. The witness then left him there. However, between 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., the Permanent Secretary summoned the witness and showed him photographs depicting individuals in the said office. The witness identified the background as the same office he had earlier allowed the accused to use, but stated that he did not know the individuals in the pictures.
Following this development, he called the accused to inform him that the individuals he had brought to the office had caused a serious issue and requested that they meet the next morning to discuss it. The following day, they both met at the office of the accused’s superior, the Deputy Secretary at the Ministry of Mines, where the matter was reported. Officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, Pademba Road, later arrived, arrested both men, and escorted them to CID headquarters for questioning. Their phones were confiscated, and statements were obtained from both parties.
During cross-examination, defense counsel Thomas Moore Conteh, Esq., renewed and adopted his previous bail application on behalf of the accused.
After consideration, Magistrate Fornah granted bail to the accused of four hundred and fifty thousand Leones (Le450,000), with one surety in like sum. The surety must be a responsible citizen residing in Freetown, gainfully employed, and in possession of a valid identification card showing a fixed address. The bail is to be approved by the Deputy Assistant Registrar.
The matter was adjourned to November 18, 2025, for further hearing.
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