Businessman Granted Le40,000 Bail in Alleged $4,500 Fraud Case
Thirty-seven-year-old Abdul Sow, a businessman, made his first appearance before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown on charges of obtaining money by false pretenses, contrary to Section 32(1) of the Larceny Act 1916.
According to the prosecution, on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Savage Square in the Western Area of Freetown, Sow allegedly defrauded Armah Quist of $4,500 (equivalent to Le106,650). Sow purportedly claimed he had sitting room chairs and two beds for sale, which was later discovered to be false.
Sow pleaded not guilty to the charges. The police prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police Isatu Baba Musa, along with counsel Z.A. Kanu, requested a short adjournment to explore an out-of-court settlement.
J.A. Ansumana, representing the accused, applied for bail, arguing that Sow is a resident of Sierra Leone with reliable sureties who are willing to vouch for him. Ansumana assured the court that Sow would not interfere with witnesses or flee, citing Section 79 (2&3) of the Criminal Procedure Act No. 32 of 1965.
Magistrate Bangura granted Sow bail in the sum of Le40,000 with two sureties. The sureties must be responsible citizens with valid identification depicting their address in Freetown. The bail is to be approved by the Deputy Assistant Registrar.
The case was adjourned to July 10, 2024.
