Woman and Three Others Jailed over allegation of Money Laundering

By Fatima Kpaka

Finnah Hawanatu Marrah, Abubakarr Jah and two others were on Tuesday, October  31, 2023 sent to jailed by magistrate Mark Ngegba of Court No1  over allegation of money doubling case involving US$ 5000.

The accused persons Abubakarr Jah, Abdul Rahman Mansallay, Arthor Mutturi and Finnah Hawanatu Marrah were arraigned on five counts, including conspiracy to defraud contrary to law, obtaining money by false pretences, causing money to be paid to another person with intent to defraud contrary to section 32(1) of The Larceny Act 1916.

According to the particulars of the offense for count one, it is alleged that the accused persons between the 3rd and 4th  October 2023, at Riverside Drive, KingHarman Road in Freetown with intent to defraud, conspired together with other persons unknown, and defraud Iye Mansaray the sum of five thousand united states dollars (NLe 122,500) and sixty thousand Leones all to the total sum of (NLE 182,500).

The police further alleged on count two and three that the accused Abubakarr Jah on the same dates and place obtained the sum of five thousand united states dollars from Iye Mansaray by falsely pretending that he will multiply twice that amount, using his money doubling machine, knowing same to be false.

While in count four and five it is alleged that the accused Abdu lRahman Mansallay and Finnah Hawanatu Marrah on the same date and place with intent to defraud, unlawfully cause money to be paid by Iye Mansaray, to Abubakarr Jah who  falsely pretended that, he would multiply twice that amount, using a money doubling machine, knowing same to be false.

When the charges were read and explained to the accused persons, no plea was taken.

Lawyer M Baratey Esq. applied for bail on behalf of the accused person pursuant to section 79 (3) of the Criminal Procedure Act No32 of 1965.

The prosecutor ASP Ibrahim S. Mansaray objected to bail due to the serious nature of the offense.

Magistrate Ngegba refused to admit the accused  on bail while the matter was adjourned to  November 7, 2023.