By Elizabeth Kamara
Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Pademba Road Magistrate Court No.1 in Freetown has sentenced 36-year-old businessman Mohamed Santigie Fofanah to four years imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to obtaining money by false pretense, contrary to Section 32(1) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to court records, the accused defrauded his friend, David Samuel Thulley, between July 1, 2022, and February 28, 2023, at No.1 Back Street, Freetown. Fofanah falsely claimed he could secure a Canadian work visa for Thulley and, in the process, obtained $178,015 and NLE716,660 from him.
When the charges were read in court, Fofanah pleaded guilty. Inspector M.K. Taylor, who led the prosecution, did not present witnesses, as the accused admitted his guilt.
The defense counsel, A. Koroma, appealed for bail, arguing that the accused was a first-time offender with no prior criminal record. He assured the court that Fofanah had reliable sureties and would not abscond if granted bail. Koroma’s application referenced Section 79(2) of the Criminal Procedure Act of 1965.
However, the prosecuting counsel, C. Kamara, opposed the bail application, noting that the accused had previously jumped bail and was brought to court on a police warrant. She urged the court to consider Section 98(1) of the Criminal Procedure Act of 1965 and deny bail.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Magistrate Kekura sentenced Fofanah to four years imprisonment. The court also offered the option of paying a fine of Le4,000 to the state in lieu of imprisonment.
