By: Alima Kargbo
Mohamed Santigie Fofanah, a 36-year-old businessman, was sentenced to four years imprisonment or a fine of Nle4,000.00 by Magistrate Sahr Kekura of the Pademba Road Magistrate Court No.1 in Freetown.
Fofanah faced charges of Obtaining Money by False Pretense, a violation of Section 32 (1) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to court documents, between July 1, 2022, and February 28, 2023, at No.1 Back Street, Freetown, Fofanah fraudulently obtained $178,015 USD and Nle716,660 from his friend, David Samuel Thulley. The accused promised to facilitate Thulley’s travel to Canada with a work visa, despite knowing the claim to be false.
When the charge was read in court, Fofanah pleaded guilty. During the proceedings, Inspector M.K. Taylor attempted to present a witness, but the testimony was unnecessary due to the guilty plea.
Defense counsel A. Koroma requested bail, arguing that the accused was a first-time offender with reliable sureties and no prior criminal record. However, prosecuting counsel C. Kamara strongly objected, pointing out that Fofanah had previously jumped bail. Kamara cited Section 98 (1) of the Criminal Procedure Act of 1965, urging the court to deny bail.
After considering the arguments from both sides, Magistrate Kekura handed down the sentence, offering the option of a fine to the state.
