By Fatima Kpaka
Sierra Leone — September 1, 2025: Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah of Pademba Road Court No.1 has sentenced Musa Kambia to three years imprisonment for fraud, following his conviction for obtaining money by false pretenses.
Kambia was charged under Section 32(1) of the Larceny Act of 1916 after he falsely claimed to know the whereabouts of a missing child, deceiving the child’s mother into giving him money.
According to court records, the offence occurred on Saturday, April 11, 2025, at Pademba Road in Freetown. Kambia approached Christian Alphaso Gilo Blake, whose son Charles Blake had gone missing, and falsely claimed he could help locate the boy. He then obtained NLe 25 from her under this pretense, despite knowing the claim was untrue.
The prosecution presented multiple witnesses, all of whom were cross-examined. Their testimonies, supported by evidence, convinced the court of Kambia’s intent to defraud.
In delivering his judgment, Magistrate Jah stated that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt. He condemned the accused’s actions as a deliberate attempt to exploit a vulnerable parent, emphasizing that such behavior erodes public trust and must be met with firm legal consequences.
Kambia was sentenced to three years in prison at the Male Correctional Centre in Freetown.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the legal repercussions for exploiting individuals in distress, particularly in matters involving missing persons.