By Fatima Kpaka
Freetown, January 15, 2025—John Binneh Conteh, a clergy member of Living Stone Evangelical Ministry in Makeni, appeared before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Pademba Road Court No. 2 on charges of defrauding a colleague pastor of $7,000 for a vehicle. The accused made his first court appearance and was arraigned on two counts: conspiracy to defraud, contrary to law, and causing money to be paid to another person by means of fraud, contrary to Section 32 of the Larceny Act 1916.
According to the particulars of the offense, it is alleged that the accused conspired with others to commit the crime of causing money to be paid, on a date unknown in October 2024, in Pamalap, Kambia District, Northern Province of Sierra Leone. The police further alleged that on October 3, 2024, in Kambia District, the accused fraudulently caused Mark Alusine Kamara to pay $7,000 (equivalent to Le 170,800) to one Francis Koroma, who falsely pretended to have a Sprinter vehicle for sale, knowing this to be false.
When the charges were read and explained to the accused, no plea was taken. The matter was adjourned to Monday, January 20, 2025, for further hearing.