By Fatima kpaka
Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court No.2 on Monday, 16 December 16, 2024, ordered bench warrant against a Canadian Consultant Sunanda Kikla after refusing to appear before the court over an alleged fraud matter.
The accused was charged with eight counts of conspiracy to defraud contrary to law and obtaining money by false pretenses contrary to section 32(1) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
The charge sheet indicates that Sunanda Kikla between 1st June and 20th November 2024 in Freetown, conspired with other persons unknown to obtain money by false pretenses.
The charge sheet further shows that the accused on the said date obtained the sum of two hundred and thirty-four million, three hundred thousand Leones from Hyson Attia Ngowh, Louis Ayuk Onjong and Munogo Sena Alaim by falsely pretending that she would facilitate their traveling to Dubai, India, Canada, and America, knowing same to be false.
The police further alleged that the accused falsely pretended that she would also register a business company of Hyson Attia Ngowh (name Awa and Sons Travel Logistics and Freight Forwarding), knowing to same be false.
After the matter was mentioned in court, the accused was absent in court.
The prosecutor ASP Dialia Wellington applied for a bench warrant to be issued against the accused for her to be in court on the next adjourned date.
His application was granted by Magistrate Bangura, who ordered that the accused should be arrested and brought before the court.
The matter was adjourned to a later date.