By Fatima Kpaka
Freetown, June 4, 2025 – Emmanuel Manner, Director General of Sierra Leone’s Water Regulatory Agency, testified in court on Wednesday against Christian Paul Fama, whom he accused of defrauding him of $81,000 meant for vehicle repairs.
Appearing before Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah at Pademba Road Court No. 1, Manner detailed his interactions with Fama between October and November 2024. He recounted how his driver introduced him to Fama, who was recommended for repairing his Belgium-made Mercedes Benz.
Manner explained that he initially paid Fama NLe 1,000 for transportation before agreeing to a non-negotiable repair fee of NLe 40,000. Following several delays, he paid an additional $1,500 after Fama claimed more funds were necessary to complete the work.
Upon receiving the vehicle, Manner’s driver took it for a test drive, but the car broke down near Jui. After further assessment, Fama admitted there was an issue, but the vehicle was never fully repaired.
Frustrated, Manner lodged a complaint with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), leading to Fama’s arraignment on charges of obtaining money by false pretense, contrary to Section 32(1) of the Larceny Act 1916.
Following cross-examination by defense counsel Bawoh, the court adjourned the matter to June 11, 2025, for further proceedings.
Fama remains accused of fraudulently obtaining NLe 81,000 from Manner under the pretext of repairing his Mercedes Benz at Brookfields, Freetown.