Two Remanded Over Alleged US$30,000 Fraudulent Conversion
Two men, Minkailu Sesay and Philip Fellicie, have been remanded at the Male Correctional Centre in Freetown over an alleged fraudulent conversion involving US$30,000.
The matter was heard by Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah at Court No. 1, Pademba Road, during committal proceedings. The prosecution was represented by State Counsel A.B.N. Taylor Kamara and M.M. Tawani.
According to the charge, Sesay allegedly converted US$30,000, equivalent to Le720,000, which had been entrusted to him by Marie Sesay for delivery to Kate Majella Bridget Karemo Garnett. Fellicie is accused of counselling, procuring and commanding Sesay to commit the alleged offence and is charged as an accessory before the fact.
State Counsel told the court that the prosecution had complied with its statutory obligations, filed and served the complete case bundle on the defendants, and was ready to proceed with the committal proceedings.
Police Constable 17184 Sylvester Kiawen, attached to the CID, testified that he took over the investigation on August 21, 2026. He said statements were obtained from the complainant, witnesses and both defendants.
Kiawen testified that Fellicie gave a voluntary statement after being cautioned and questioned in Krio, with the statement recorded in English and later read back to him in Krio before he confirmed it with his right thumbprint.
He also testified that a further voluntary charged statement was obtained from Sesay on September 18, 2026, under similar circumstances. The statement was produced and tendered in court and marked as Exhibit D, while police witnesses’ statements were marked as Exhibits G1 and G2.
The witness said the police file was subsequently sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for advice, and the DPP advised on September 16, 2026, that both defendants be charged.
Defence counsel T.M. Bangura urged the court to consider the prosecution’s evidence, noting that at the committal stage the prosecution was required to establish sufficient evidence for the matter to proceed to trial rather than prove the case beyond reasonable doubt.
Counsel also assured the court that the defendants would not interfere with prosecution witnesses or abscond and would attend future proceedings if granted bail. He further reminded the court that the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty under Section 23(4) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone, Act No. 6 of 1991.
Following the proceedings, both defendants were remanded at the Male Correctional Centre. The matter was adjourned to October 5, 2026.
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