Two Lawyers Granted Bail in US$114,000 Toyota 4Runner Fraud Case

In a significant development in a high-profile fraud case involving the sale of three Toyota 4Runner vehicles valued at US$114,000, two lawyers have been granted bail totaling Nle 3Million each by Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah of Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown.

The court also directed the defense to adhere strictly to legal procedures as the committal proceedings continue.

The accused, 34-year-old barrister Maurice Jenner Mohamed Seisay and 35-year-old barrister John Mans, face charges of conspiracy to defraud and obtaining property by false pretences, contrary to Section 32(1) of the Larceny Act, 1916. The alleged offenses took place between November 1 and 30, 2023, at Harding Sesay and Partners Law Firm, located at No. 49 Dundas Street in Freetown.

According to the particulars of the offence, the accused conspired with unknown persons to defraud Bockarie Conteh by falsely promising payment for the vehicles within 30 days, only to obtain the cars under false pretenses. The charges were read in court, but no plea was taken as the matter is still before the court for committal proceedings.

State Prosecutor Yusuf Isaac Sesay raised concerns over procedural irregularities, noting that the defense had not properly followed legal notice procedures related to witness cross-examination. He explained that although the defense had filed a notice to cross-examine prosecution witnesses, the process did not conform to established legal standards. The prosecutor emphasized that the prosecution was ready to proceed once proper procedures were met but could not compromise due process.

In response, defense counsel Jessie M. Jengo acknowledged the procedural oversight but requested the court to overlook technicalities in the interest of justice. He explained that the defense had filed and served the relevant notice earlier that same morning but had inadvertently failed to withdraw an earlier notice. Jengo urged the court to consider the substantive merits of the case rather than procedural technicalities.

Prosecutor Sesay objected strongly to the defense’s application, asserting that the document filed did not constitute a proper legal application but merely a notification. He insisted that the proper legal procedures must be followed for the case to proceed smoothly.

After reviewing the submissions and considering the circumstances, Magistrate Jah ordered the defense to ensure full compliance with the legal requirements for witness cross-examination. Nonetheless, he granted bail to both accused persons in the sum of Nle 2Million each, with two sureties in like amount. The sureties must be Sierra Leonean nationals with valid identification and proof of address in Freetown, as stipulated by the court.

The magistrate further directed that the bail conditions be approved by the Deputy Assistant Registrar. The case has been adjourned to August 17, 2026, for further proceedings, including the continuation of committal hearings.

This case continues to attract attention as it underscores both the legal processes involved in handling complex fraud allegations and the importance of procedural adherence in judicial proceedings.