By Alimatu Jalloh
Thirty-one-year-old James Baimba who identified himself as a student has on Friday, July 21, 2023 made his first appearance before Magistrate Mark Ngegba of Pademba Road Court No.1 for allegedly defrauding one Mohamed Ibrahim Conteh.
The accused had been charged on two counts of conspiracy to defraud and causing money to be paid by false pretenses contrary to Law.
According to the particulars of the offence, it is alleged that the accused on diverse dates between February 1, 2021 and March 29, 2022 in Freetown with intent to defraud conspired with other persons unknown to defraud Mohamed Ibrahim Conteh the sum of US$ 9,300 (Le213,000,000) with the pretext that he will provide a visa and facilitate his travelling to the United States of America knowing same to be false.
While in count two, the accused on the same date and place unlawfully caused the complainant to pay to one Osman Koroma the sum of US$ 9,300 (Le213,000,000), as payment fee for a visa and facilitation fee for travelling to the United States of America knowing same to be false.
With both the prosecution and defense counsel present, the charges were put to the accused who took no plea.
At this stage, in the absence of the prosecution witness, Defence Lawyer M. Golfa applied for bail for the accused on the grounds that he will not interfere with the prosecution witness and has a fixed abode with reliable sureties who are willing to enter in his cognizance.
“The accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty,” he mentioned.
The presiding magistrate however, denied the accused bail and ordered he be remanded at the Male Correctional Center on Pademba Road in Freetown. That matter was adjourned to July 28, 2023.