Businessman Sankoh Remanded Over Alleged Le100,380 Fraud

Mohamed Sankoh, a 44-year-old businessman, was remanded in custody following his first appearance before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.

Sankoh faces multiple charges, including fraudulent conversion, forgery of a document, and uttering a forged document, in connection with an alleged scam involving more than Le100,000.

The charges stem from an incident that allegedly occurred between July 1 and July 30, 2026, in the Western Area of Freetown.

According to the police charge sheet, Sankoh is accused of fraudulently converting Le100,380 entrusted to him by Alhaji Maju Bah for the purpose of cleaning a container at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay. Police allege that Sankoh failed to use the funds for their intended purpose.

He is also accused of forging a National Revenue Authority assessment notice purportedly issued by the authority, with the intent to defraud. It is further alleged that Sankoh knowingly uttered the forged document as genuine during the same period in an attempt to deceive Alhaji Maju Bah.

When the charges were read to him, Sankoh did not enter a plea, as the matter is being handled as a committal proceeding.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Sorie Conteh, who is prosecuting the case, told the court that the defence had been served with a copy of the police file.

Sankoh’s defence counsel, K.B. Hindowa, acknowledged receipt of the file and requested a short adjournment. She indicated that she would not be cross-examining witnesses at this stage as she wished to explore other lines of defence.

Magistrate Fornah ordered Sankoh to be remanded at the Male Correctional Centre in Freetown. The case was adjourned to September 8, 2026, for further proceedings.