Man Remanded in Custody for Vehicle Theft
By: Bonnke Fofanah
Forty years old Mustapha Kargbo a Motor Mechanic made another appearance before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Pademba Road court No.1 in Freetown on two count charges to wit conspiracy contrary to law and obtaining money by false pretenses contrary to section 32 (1) of the Larceny Act 1916.
According to the particulars of offence, on Wednesday 17th April 2024, at Lumley Safecon Round about in the Western Area of Freetown conspired together with other persons unknown to commit an offence to wit obtaining money by false pretenses.
On count two, the accused person on the said date and place with intent to defraud obtained the sum of six thousand united states dollars equivalent to the sum of one hundred and forty six thousand four hundred Leones(Le146,400) by falsely pretending that he has one RAV 4 vehicle for sale knowing same to be false.
When the charge were read and explained to the accused person, no plea was taken.
According to the prosecution’s witness, Memunatu Kamara recalled on the 17th April 2024 on the above date along Lumley Safecon she gave the accused person the sum of six thousand United States dollars and physical cash of one thousand five hundred Leones for one RAV 4 vehicle. She added that, the accused told her that the vehicle was in Guinea and that he would go and collect it for her. Memunatu Kamara further told the court that, few days later, she got a call from the accused requesting her to send ‘Less say pass say’ for the said vehicle but she declined on the basis that the accused should be the one to produce the ‘Less Say Pass Say’. She further testified that in the evening hours, the accused person informed her that he was attacked by gang men who took the said vehicle and escaped with it. Memunatu Kamara also testified in court that on her way to Guinea she met the accused at Pamlap and handed him over to the military personnel at the bother and she later made statement at the Lumley Police Station.
Lawyer C. Campbell representing the accused person but Magistrate Kekura refused bail and sent the accused person to the Male Correctional facility in Freetown. The matter was adjourned to the 14th June 2024.
