By Alimatu Jalloh
A 33-year-old man, Samuel Thullah who identified himself as a Civil Servant employed at the Ministry of Works, is presently being investigated by Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Pademba Road Court No.1 on an alleged case of fraud.
The accused is charged with the offense of Obtaining Money by False Pretenses.
According to the particulars of offence between the months of July and August 2023 at No.12 Percival Street in the Western Area in Freetown with intent to defraud obtained the sum of NLe 39,000 from one Nelson Sali Konneh by falsely pretending that he will buy five electricity distribution supply and Authority EDSA meters that is to say three single face meters and two three face meters and also to do electrical connection at his residence, knowing same to be false. When the charges was read and explained to him, the accused pleaded not guilty.
Haven read the charges to the accused person with both the defense and prosecution present the witness Nelson Sali Konneh took to the witness stand and was led by prosecutor Sergeant 9939 M. Lahai in evidence.
While being led he recognized the accused and recalled that on August 2023 he was in need of meters and it connections and one Mohamed Bangura recommended the accused person, adding that the accused was called to buy the items and do the job which he consented to do.
“He made the estimate including his workmanship which went up to the sum of NLe 39,000 and at that stage a payment of NLe 14,000 was made” he said.
The witness said the accused then requested for money again including the sum of Le 500 for top-up for the meter as well which was later given to him by one Mohamed.
“After the transactions the accused person started the job and left with the cables hanging in the house and since then he was never seen. I then contacted the person that recommended him and explained to him and they tried to get him but to no avail” he told the court.
The witness added that he then made the report to the police at the Criminal Investigations Department and the accused was later arrested but prior to his arrest he never refunded the money nor did he complete the job.
At this juncture defense counsel C. Kamara cross examined the witness and asked him whether the accused Samuel Thullah was introduced to him, and he answered in the affirmative.
When questioned on the money he gave to the accused the witness said he first gave the accused the sum of NLe 14,000 and gave him the remaining money plus top-up for the said meters.
Lawyer C. Kamara asked if the witness will agree with him that the first transaction of money was handed over by him and not his wife he answered no.
After cross examination the defense Lawyer applied for bail for and on behalf of his client but Magistrate Kekura refused the accused bail and remanded him at the Male Correctional Centre till 20th February 2024 for further hearing.