Court Admits Exhibits in Alleged Samsung Phone Fraud Case

The prosecution has tendered key exhibits in the ongoing fraudulent conversion trial of Alfred Bio Junior, who appeared before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown.

Alfred Bio Junior is facing one count of fraudulent conversion, contrary to Section 20(1)(iv)(a) of the Larceny Act of 1916.

According to the prosecution, the alleged offence occurred on July 11, 2026, at Sunny Side Night Club, Aberdeen Beach, where the accused allegedly converted to his own use a Samsung mobile phone valued at Le3,500 after it had been entrusted to him for safekeeping by Rugiatu Jalloh.

The charge was read and explained to the accused, who pleaded not guilty.

Led in evidence by Police Constable 18235 Thoronka K., the first prosecution witness, Detective Police Constable Sieh Sulaiman Sesay of the Regional Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Freetown West, testified that the defendant was arrested on July 17, 2026, after being brought to the station by the complainant, who reported a case of fraudulent conversion.

Sesay told the court that he obtained a statement from the complainant, which was admitted into evidence as Exhibits A1–A3. He further testified that he and DPC 19650 Samura K.J. recorded a cautioned statement from the accused in Krio, translated it into English, and after it was read back to the defendant, he confirmed its accuracy by signing it. The statement was admitted as Exhibits B1–B9.

The witness also stated that police accompanied the complainant and the accused to Juba Hill after the defendant claimed a friend identified as Mohamed had taken the phone. However, efforts to locate the individual were unsuccessful.

Sesay further informed the court that on July 21, 2026, investigators again obtained a cautioned and questioned statement from the accused, which was translated into English and admitted into evidence as Exhibits C1–C3 after the defendant confirmed and signed it.

During cross-examination, defence counsel L. Ellis Esq. requested the court to adopt an earlier bail application.

Magistrate Fornah granted bail to the accused in the sum of Le5,000, with one surety who must be a resident of Freetown and possess a valid National Identification Card. The bail conditions are subject to court approval.

The court also ordered that a subpoena be served on the absent complainant before adjourning the matter to August 26, 2026, for further hearing.