Contractor Remanded Over Alleged Nle 118,129 Fraud

Contractor Remanded Over Alleged Nle 118,129 Fraud

Forty-one-year-old Ibrahim Mustapha, a contractor, has been remanded in custody at the Male Correctional Facility in Freetown following his appearance before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No. 2. 

He faces four serious charges related to fraud, including two counts of obtaining money by false pretenses and two counts of causing money to be paid through false pretenses, all under the Larceny Act of 1916.

According to court documents, the accused allegedly committed the offenses between March 2, 2024, and April 29, 2026, at 3c Ibrahim Drive, Juba Hill, in the Western Area of Freetown. 

It is alleged that Mustapha falsely claimed to possess a parcel of land at John Obey, Peninsular, Freetown, and obtained funds from Juma Sesay through deception.

Specifically, on March 2, 2024, he was accused of obtaining 66,000 Leones from Sesay by falsely pretending to sell the land. Between March 29, 2024, and April 9, 2026, he allegedly obtained an additional 47,629 Leones from the same complainant through similar false pretenses. 

Furthermore, on March 2, 2024, he purportedly caused Sesay to pay 1,500 Leones to Benjamin John to survey the land, falsely claiming ownership. On April 29, 2026, he was further accused of causing a payment of 3,000 Leones to Benjamin John for the same purpose, again under false pretenses of ownership.

During the proceedings, the charges were read and explained to the defendant. No plea was entered, as this was a committal hearing. 

The prosecutor, Deputy Superintendent of Police Sorie, confirmed to the court that he had served Mustapha with a copy of the case and inquiry files, which the defendant acknowledged receiving.

Due to the seriousness of the allegations, Magistrate Fornah refused bail and ordered the defendant’s remand. 

The case has been adjourned to June 30, 2026, for further proceedings.