Businesswoman Remanded Over Alleged House Rent Fraud in Freetown

A 43-year-old businesswoman, Umu Kutume Sauaqe, has been remanded at the Pademba Road Female Correctional Facility following her arraignment before the court on allegations of house rent fraud involving a staff member of Vista Bank.

Sauaqe is facing a charge of obtaining money by false pretences, contrary to Section 32(1) of the Larceny Act 1916. She pleaded not guilty when the charge was read and explained to her in court.

According to the particulars of offence, the accused allegedly obtained the sum of twenty-eight thousand five hundred Leones (Le28,500) on April 15, 2025, at No. 2 Charlotte Street in Freetown. The prosecution claims she falsely represented to the complainant, Samuel Sellu, that she had a four-bedroom apartment available for rent, knowing the claim to be untrue.

Leading evidence in the matter, Prosecutor Sergeant Theresa Ballay called Sellu as the first witness. In his testimony, the complainant, a banker at Vista Bank, told the court that he was introduced to the alleged property through his brother, who had been searching for accommodation.

Sellu explained that he and his brother visited the said location, where they met the defendant along with her family members. He said the defendant showed them the apartment and initially requested payment for two years’ rent, but later agreed to accept one year and six months, totaling Le28,500.

He further testified that on April 15, 2025, the defendant, accompanied by a relative identified as Abdulrahman Sauaqe, went with him to Vista Bank where the payment was made. According to Sellu, he invited colleagues to witness the transaction, and a receipt signed by the defendant and witnesses was subsequently issued and tendered in court as evidence.

However, the complainant told the court that on April 19, 2025, the defendant issued another receipt which failed to include the address of the property. He said she had promised to provide a more detailed receipt but could not be reached afterward. Efforts to take possession of the apartment proved unsuccessful, as the defendant and her family were nowhere to be found.

Following the testimony, the prosecution requested a short adjournment.

Presiding Magistrate John Manso Fornah denied bail and ordered that the accused be remanded at the female correctional facility in Freetown.

The matter has been adjourned to April 1, 2026, for further hearing.