By Fatima Kpaka
Mohamed Suma a business tycoon yesterday made another appearance before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court No.2 for allegedly defrauding Mohamed Abass Koroma and three others on the pretext that he will facilitate their traveling to Malaysia.
The accused was charged to court on six counts ranging from Obtaining Money by False Pretenses.
According to the indictment, it was alleged that the accused on diverse dates between the 14th of February to 16th March 2023 at Gibo Lane Off Syke Street in Freetown with intent to defraud obtained the sum NLe 8,000 from Mohamed Abass Koroma by falsely pretending that he will facilitate his travelling to Malaysia knowing same to be false.
The police further alleged on counts 2,3,4,5 and 6 that the accused on diverse dates between the 1st of January to the 28th of December 2023 at the above address in Freetown with intent to defraud obtained the sum of NLe 45,500 from Kassim Bangura, Mohamed Turay, and Shaka Sankoh by falsely pretending that he will facilitate their travelling to Malaysia.
Police Sergeant 9823 Brima Turay, led in evidence by the prosecutor Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sorie Conteh, recognized the accused person and the complainant in the matter and recalled that on the 29th of August 2023, he said he was at the Criminal Investigation Department Central Police Station when the accused person was arrested and brought in for the offences of obtaining money by false pretenses and that the sum of NLe 47,700 had been taken from the four victims.
The matter he said was allocated to him for further investigation, adding that during the process, he obtained statements from the complainant and witnesses.
He said that on the 30th of August 2023, himself together with DPC 18627 Charlie S. obtained interview caution statement from the accused person. The said statement was produced and tender in court.
On the 2nd September 2023, he said himself together with Inspector Mohamed Kamara charged the accused person with the offence of Obtaining Money by False Pretenses.
The charge statement was produced and tendered in court to form part of the court records.
The witness was cross examined by defense counsel A. Vandy.
Magistrate Bangura adjourned the matter to the 12th of February 2024 whilst the bail for the accused person continue.