IT Technician Testifies in Vehicle Fraud Trial
A key prosecution witness has delivered detailed testimony in an alleged NLe118,000 vehicle fraud scheme, describing how two men purportedly conspired to defraud a buyer over a non-existent car sale.
Testifying before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at the Pademba Road Court No. 2, IT technician and website developer Abu Bakarr Fofanah detailed the events that led to the arrest of Yankuba Koroma, 27, and Michael Musa, 64. Both defendants face charges of conspiracy to defraud and obtaining money by false pretenses, and remain remanded at the Freetown male correctional facility.
Fofanah told the court that on May 19, 2026, his colleague, Bangalie Sesay, informed him that the defendants had a vehicle for sale. Based on representations that a Toyota Corolla was readily available, the complainant, Joseph Pessima, transferred 118,000 Leones to the accused.
Following the payment, the defendants and other associates drafted a written agreement promising delivery of the vehicle the next day. However, the vehicle was never delivered. When questioned, Sesay claimed the documentation was in neighboring Guinea and that the vehicle was unavailable. Police subsequently detained Sesay for questioning.
According to Fofanah, further information regarding another vehicle sale attempt by the same individuals was later received from Ibrahim Jalloh. Fofanah monitored the communications, confirming the vehicle’s supposed availability through photos and phone conversations with the defendants, who claimed to run a car dealership.
Working alongside law enforcement, a sting operation was arranged in Jui. Officers intercepted the first defendant, who arrived to pick up the party on behalf of the second defendant, Abdul Koroma. During the operation, Fofanah placed a call on loudspeaker to Abdul Koroma, who confirmed that transaction funds were to be directed to the second defendant.
Because the case is currently at the committal stage, no formal pleas were entered when the charges were formally read in court. Lead prosecutor Deputy Superintendent of Police Sorie Conteh tendered Fofanah’s police statement, which was admitted into the official court record.
Magistrate Fornah adjourned the matter to September 25, 2026, when defense counsel is expected to cross-examine the witness. The accused remain in custody as preliminary investigations continue.
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