By sulaiman.sesay@awokonewspaper.sl
FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE – Foday Sedia Turay, a 41-year-old businessman, and Joseph Gassimu, a 33-year-old seamstress, have entered pleas of not guilty to two fraud charges brought against them by the Sierra Leone Police (SLP).
Both defendants appeared before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Pademba Road Court No. 3 in Freetown, where they are facing charges of conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretences.
The police allege that, between May 1st and May 31st, 2023, along the Regent-Grafton axis, the accused individuals defrauded Mariama Sam of the sum of one hundred and twenty Leones by falsely representing that they owned an unregistered Nissan Rogue Jeep for sale, a claim they knew to be false.
The prosecution has yet to present witnesses to testify against the defendants in court. Instead, they have requested an adjournment date.
On the other hand, defence counsel, Lawyer Campbell, has requested bail for his clients. He based his bail plea on Section 79(3) of the Criminal Procedure Act.
However, Magistrate Bangura rejected the bail plea. He remanded both accused persons into custody, and he adjourned the matter to October 11, 2023. SKS/5/10/2023