Man Remanded Over Alleged Fraudulent Conversion of US$9,114 in Vehicle Sale Dispute

A 38-year-old man, Andrew Kargbo, has appeared before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown, facing a charge of fraudulent conversion contrary to Section 20(1)(iv)(a) of the Larceny Act, 1916.

The accused is alleged to have fraudulently converted to his own use or benefit the sum of US$9,114 (approximately Le216,000), which was part payment from the sale of a white Toyota 4Runner, 2016 model, valued at US$20,000.

According to the charge sheet, the alleged offence occurred between 1st September and 30th September 2024 at Youyi Building, Brookfields, Freetown, after the vehicle was entrusted to Kargbo by businessman and car dealer Alimamy Kamara for sale.

When the charge was read and explained in court, Kargbo did not enter a plea, as the matter is being handled as a committal proceeding.

The prosecution’s first witness, Alimamy Kamara, told the court that he recognised the accused and recalled meeting him at the Brookfields bus stop, where Kargbo allegedly approached him claiming to have a buyer for his Toyota 4Runner Jeep.

Kamara testified that they agreed on a sale price of US$20,000, after which the accused handed over a Sport Edition Jeep and US$5,000, leaving an outstanding balance of US$10,000.

The witness said Kargbo later requested additional time to pay the remaining amount but failed to settle the balance, prompting him to report the matter to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in December 2024.

Kamara further told the court that he later arrested Kargbo at Kingharman Road in September 2025 and handed him over to the police. He said family members of the accused subsequently negotiated with him and paid Le10,000 as part payment, with an agreement for the remaining amount to be paid through monthly instalments of Le4,000.

The complainant said the agreed instalments were paid for three months before stopping for five months.

The court also heard that the accused was later arrested in Makeni and brought to Freetown, where he provided a statement to the police.

Defence counsel informed the court that both parties had reached a payment arrangement. Following the agreement, Kargbo paid Le10,000 in court, which was acknowledged by the complainant through his signature.

Magistrate John Manso Fornah adjourned the matter to 4th August 2026 for further hearing, while the accused was remanded in custody.