Man Arraigned for Housing Fraud Involving Over US$10,000

Sajor Bah was on Wednesday arraigned before Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah at Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown on multiple charges relating to an alleged housing fraud.

The accused faces seven counts, including conspiracy to defraud, obtaining money by false pretences, and fraudulent conversion, all under the provisions of the Larceny Act of 1916.

The charges stem from allegations that Bah, in collusion with unidentified persons, defrauded the complainant, Umaru Napoleon Koroma, of US$10,000 (equivalent to Le 242,950) and an additional Le 150,000, totaling Le 392,950. Bah allegedly promised to construct a house at Bathurst Village, a commitment he reportedly knew was false. The offences are said to have occurred between November 1, 2024, and January 30, 2025, with financial transactions conducted at Youyi Building, Freetown, between November 26, 2024, and January 31, 2025.

During proceedings, Sub-Inspector Hassan Kargbo of the Anti-Fraud Unit at CID Headquarters provided detailed testimony on the investigation. He recounted the events leading to Bah’s arrest and the collection of evidence, including the execution of a bench warrant on December 3, 2025, after Bah failed to appear following the initial report on June 3, 2025.

Kargbo also detailed the caution statement taken from the accused on December 4, 2025, recorded in both Krio and English, along with voluntary statements and receipts of payments from the complainant. Investigators conducted site visits to three locations Leicester Peak near Regent, Kambia, and Kabala where they reportedly found incomplete three-bedroom structures linked to Bah. Photographs and investigative reports were tendered as evidence in court.

The accused reportedly attributed the incomplete structures to misappropriation of funds during questioning.

Following the testimony, the court remanded Bah in custody, with the case adjourned to January 2, 2025, for continuation.