Magistrate Mark Ngegba of the Freetown Magistrate Court No. 1 has admitted one Osman Bangura to bail in the sum of Le30 million in a matter in which he allegedly converted 31 bales of used clothing (valued over Le 18,000,000) to his own which had been entrusted to him by Alhaji Bundu Bangura for sale.
Police alleged that the accused person on different days between 1st and 31st of November 2020, at No. 31 Bombay Street in Freetown fraudulently converted to his own use and benefit 31 bales of used clothing at over Le 18 million Leones.
He is charged with one count of fraudulent conversion contrary to Section 20 of the Larceny Act 1916.
Victim and prosecution witness, Alhaji Bundu Bangura, a businessman, a resident of No. 31 Bombay Street in Freetown, recognized the accused person whom he said is his cousin.
He recalled on diverse dates between the 1st and 31st November 2020, he supplied his cousin Osman Bangura 31 bales of used clothing for him to sell and retain the profits and pay back the capital.
He added that he had given Osman three weeks, but he failed to report back to him after three weeks. “I complained to many, but to no avail. So, I resorted to reporting the matter to the police,” he said.
Bangura later arrested Osman and brought him to the police station. Osman accounted for seven bales, but the remaining 24 bales valued at Le 18,000,000 is yet to be accounted for by the accused.
Bangura furthered that he made every effort to let Osman pay back, but all his efforts had not yielded the expected results.
During cross-examination, Osman who was not represented, disclosed that he had given Bangura the sum of Le1,600,000, and Bangura confirmed receipt of the said amount.
Bangura was admitted to bail in the sum of Le 30, 000,000 bail plus one surety who must be resident in Freetown. Margistrate Mark Ngegba adjourned the matter to January 21, 2021.
By Isabella Cassell
15/01/2021. ISSUE NO:7981