Surveyors Face Trial for Alleged NRA Receipt Forgery

Two surveyors have been committed to the High Court for trial on charges of forging receipts from the National Revenue Authority (NRA) in a case that raises serious questions about fraud in the surveying profession. The decision was made during their appearance at the Freetown magistrate’s court on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.

The defendants, identified as Ahmed Mansaray, 39, and Maligie Kanu, 33, faced Magistrate Augustine Brima Samura at Pademba Road Court No. 8, where they were confronted with multiple serious allegations involving the alleged forgery of NRA survey bill receipts.

They are charged with conspiracy to commit a crime, alongside several counts of forgery and uttering forged documents, all of which fall under the Forgery Act of 1913.

Details of the allegations reveal that between June 10 and June 12, 2025, at Youyi Building in Brookfields, Freetown, the accused reportedly conspired with unidentified individuals to engage in forgery.

Specifically, on June 12, the pair allegedly forged NRA survey bill receipts that included plan and LS numbers NA 35205, NA 34125, and NA 32201, each falsely indicating a cash payment of fifty-three Leones made by an individual named Isatu Isha Dumbuya.

The prosecution contends that during the same period and at the same location, the defendants knowingly and fraudulently presented these forged documents as legitimate NRA receipts, with the intent to defraud.

Upon being read the charges, both Mansaray and Kanu refrained from entering a plea. Detective Police Constable 14898 Joseph Lamin Dumbuya called five witnesses to testify in the case, after which the prosecution’s case was withdrawn for judgment.

Magistrate Samura, after reviewing the evidence presented, concluded that there were sufficient grounds to commit the accused to the High Court for trial. He subsequently granted bail to both defendants in the amount of twenty-five thousand Leones each, requiring two sureties of the same amount.

The sureties must reside in the Western Area and present valid national identity cards that confirm their addresses in Freetown. The bail arrangement was approved by the Deputy Assistant Registrar, leading to the case being officially committed to the High Court for further proceedings.