Dr. Richard Konteh Testifies In Land Fraud Case

By Fatima Sesay

Dr. Richard Konteh on Wednesday 11 February 2026 appeared again before Justice Manuela Harding at the Freetown High Court, where he told the court that $8,000 was what himself and the plaintiff, Marie Sesay, who lives in America, agreed on for the two towns plot of land including conveyance and fencing.

In a Writ of Summon by the plaintiff, Marie Sesay, she claimed the recovery of two towns plot of land situated at Mamah Street, Gloucester in Freetown. The plaintiff also claims the recovery of $2,000 paid to Richard Konteh to facilitate the erection of a perimeter fence around a four town plot of land to which $8,000 payment was made by the plaintiff, Marie Sesay, to Richard Konteh at his bank account in America for payment of four town plot of land.

During proceedings, Dr Richard Konteh was led in evidence by his Counsel D. T. M Gbondo, where he said he is a business man, adding that he knew the plaintiff, Marie Sesay, as they are relatives.

Konteh before testifying recalled making statements at the police, which was dated 31 October 2025, and the statements was tendered before the court as exhibit DW11-5.

Konteh, in his examination in chief, agreed that he had conversation with the plaintiff, Marie Sesay, in 2009 when he visited the United States of America, adding that during his visit to the United States of America the plaintiff, Marie Sesay, told him that she wanted him to buy a piece of land for her, on which she wants to build a house for herself.

Konteh said he asked her the size of land she wanted and she told him that she wants two towns plot of land, adding that he told her that upon his return to Freetown he will check and get back to her.

Richard Konteh furthered in his testimony that the plaintiff, Marie Sesay, asked him the cost of the land including the conveyances and fencing of the property, and he told her that with the sum of $8000 he might be able to buy the land, prepare the conveyance and fence the property.

Richard Konteh, in his testimony, further stated that at this stage of the discussion the plaintiff, Marie Sesay, did not give him money, adding that he gave her his account details in America for her to pay the money when it is ready. Konteh maintained that he was ready and willing to pre-finance the land because the plaintiff is his relative.

He further stated that upon his return to Freetown he contacted the man who has been helping him with land issues, and asked him to provide him with two towns plot of land.

He continued that he went ahead and paid for two towns plot of land around the Tree Planting axis, and that when he reverted to the plaintiff, Marie Sesay, she sent a relative of hers, whom he sent with his own driver to inspect the piece of land, and that a few days later the plaintiff called him saying that the place is not well developed and she would rather have a place in a built up area, where she will build immediately.

Richard Konteh maintained that he informed the plaintiff, Marie Sesay, that he has four town plot of land at Gloucester, on which he wanted to build hostels for students at Fourah Bay college, but decided to sell two towns plot of land out of the four town plot of land, adding that he reserved the remaining two towns plot of land for himself for future use.

Richard Konteh furthered that he then instructed his Personal Assistant, Martin Jimmy, to go with his surveyor to Reverend Allan, one of his two land vendors, so that they can resurvey the four town plot of land at Gloucester and divide it into two.

He said that later he got his lawyer to prepare two separate conveyances, which was done in October 2010 and that the plaintiff, Marie Sesay, told him that he should give the conveyance to Abdulai Sheriff to deliver it to her in America.

Richard Konteh continued that sometime in early 2011, the plaintiff, Marie Sesay, called him, thanking him that she has received the conveyance from Abdulai Sheriff.

At this juncture, Counsel representing the plaintiff, Augustine Sengu Marrah, made an objection that the defendant, Dr. Richard Konteh, is testifying before the court what was not submitted in the document that was served to them by Defense Counsel, he added that Konteh said the plaintiff thanked him for the conveyance, which is not in the document that was served to them, furthering that it will be unfair to the plaintiff.

Defense Counsel Gbondo in reply said it is impossible for the witness to testify exactly on every detail he gave when making statements, adding that his client is testifying before the court what is relevant to his case.

Marrah Esq., on the other hand, said it is unfair for the witness to adduce fresh evidence before the court, saying the plaintiff thanked him, as that is not in his witness statement and prayed that the judge expunge such evidence before the court.

Justice Manuela Harding said Marrah will be given the opportunity to cross-examine the witness based on what he testified.

Richard Konteh, in continuation of his testimony, said he knew one Hannah Turay and that he did not show Hannah Turay the four town plot of land he purchased at Gloucester.

He also confirmed before the court knowing Florence Turay, the person that brought the matter before the court as power of attorney.

Konteh also confirmed before the court that he never showed Florence Turay the plot of land he bought at Mamah Street, Gloucester. He stated that the plaintiff, Marie Sesay, sent Abdulai Baratay to him for him to look at the two town plot of land at Baimba street, Gloucester, and after the visit of Baratay at the site, the plaintiff, Marie Sesay, called him making a fresh plea that she needed the entire four town plot of land, but he refused. He maintained that the request for the four town plot of land came after the visit of Baratay to the land, because he was trying to divide the land.

Konteh further alledged that Florence Turay made a report at the Lumley police station and he was invited.

He said that after explaining the matter at the Lumley Police Station the matter was referred to the Criminal Investigation Department headquarters at the Land Grabbing Unit.

Konteh further alledged that Florence Turay went to the land and forcefully removed the fence he was making, and that he went to the land and spoke to Florence to understand that they are family, and that a mutual friend, Abdulai Timbo, tried to prevail on the issue, but was not successful and they went again to the CID headquarters, where a site visit was arranged by both sides with their lawyers and they were given instructions.

He said that he later received court papers.

Konteh further stated that families intervened on the matter and told him to hand over the other two town plot of land to the plaintiff, disclosing that he decided to give her another two town plot of land elsewhere, but the plaintiff rejected it.

After his testimony, Lawyer Augustine Sengu Marrah sought for an adjournment, indicating that Konteh raised fresh issues in his testimony and wants to confer with his client before cross-examining him.

The matter was adjourned to the 17 February 2026 for continuation.