Two legal practitioners, Maurice Jenner Mohamed Sesay and John Mans, have been remanded in custody after making their first appearance before Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah at Pademba Road Magistrate Court No. 1 on allegations of conspiracy to defraud and obtaining property by false pretences involving three Toyota 4Runner vehicles valued at US$114,000.
According to the prosecution, the accused lawyers allegedly conspired with other persons still at large between 1st and 30th November 2023 at Harding Sesay and Partners Law Firm, 49 Dundas Street, Freetown, with the intention of defrauding another party.
The prosecution further alleges that between 1st and 20th November 2023, the two lawyers obtained three Toyota 4Runner vehicles worth US$114,000 from Bockarie Conteh after allegedly assuring him that payment would be made within 30 working days. Prosecutors claim the representation was false and that the accused never intended to honour the agreement.
When the matter was called, State Prosecutor Y.I. Sesay informed the court that it was the first hearing in the case. He said the prosecution had complied with Section 112 of the Criminal Procedure Act by serving the defence with the case file and sought an adjournment to allow both sides sufficient time to prepare for trial.
Defence counsel J.M. Jengo applied for bail on behalf of the accused under Section 76(1)(c) of the Criminal Procedure Act. He told the court that both men are respected members of the legal profession, have practised law for more than 11 years, reside within the court’s jurisdiction, maintain fixed addresses, and are gainfully employed.
Counsel further argued that, if remanded, the two lawyers would be detained alongside inmates they had previously prosecuted during their years of legal practice. He also informed the court that the first accused, Maurice Jenner Mohamed Sesay, was unwell and urged the court to admit both men to bail.
However, after hearing arguments from both the prosecution and the defence, Magistrate Jah refused the bail application and ordered that the two lawyers be remanded in custody pending the testimony of the prosecution’s first witness.
The matter was adjourned to 10th August 2026 for further hearing
