Magistrate Sahr Kekura presiding the Pademba Road Court No. 1 on Wednesday May 4, 2022 committed the matter between the State versus Alfred Mohamed Bangura to the High Court for trial.
Police alleged that the accused, Bangura, on Friday, December 20, 2019, at New Road, Rokupa in Freetown, fraudulently converted to his own use and benefit a Nissan Pathfinder Jeep with registration No. ALF 249, valued at Le32 million, entrusted to him by Ansumana Foday for the purpose of sale.
Police slammed one count charge of fraudulent conversion contrary to Section 20(1)(iv)(a) of the Larceny Act of 1916 on Bangura.
Magistrate Kekura said that the prosecution, in a bid to prove its case brought 3 witnesses to court, including formal witness who tendered exhibits in respect of the matter.
He added that the accused, Bangura, who was not represented by a lawyer, only cross-examined the second and third prosecution witness, but not the first.
He said that first and second prosecution witnesses corroborated each other’s statement that the accused did receive the Pathfinder Jeep in question but failed to pay back as agreed. He references the case of R v. Baskeville which established corroboration.
He also mentioned that the accused had earlier told the police that the statement made against him at the police station was true, adding that he also made a confessional statement that he did receive the vehicle in question. Magistrate Kekura concluded that he was convinced that the prosecution has led sufficient evidence against the accused. He therefore committed the matter to the High Court for trial, while the accused remains in custody.
By Fatima Kpaka