By Mohamed J Kargbo
Ibrahim Barrie and Sao Fefegulah made another appearance before Magistrate Mark Ngegba of Court No.1 at Pademba Road and they were remanded to the Male Correctional Centre.
The accused persons were standing trial on four counts ranging from conspiracy to commit a felony contrary to law, house breaking and larceny contrary to Section 26(1) of the Larceny Act 1916, receiving stolen goods and fraudulently converting all contrary to the laws of Sierra Leone.
According to the indictments, the accused persons sometimes in August 2023, at Baoma Oil Village, Kendu Leppiama Chiefdom in the Kenema District, Eastern Region of Sierra Leone, with intent to defraud, conspired together with other persons unknown to defraud Alusine Mohamed Conteh four carat fifteen percent (4.15) diamond valued Le 477,250 New Leones.
The police further alleged on counts two that the accused Ibrahim Barrie on Friday 25th August 2023 at Baoma Oil Mill Village, with intent to steal, broke into and entered into the dwelling house of Moses Brima Conteh and stole therein four carat fifteen percent diamond, valued Le 477,250 New Leones, eight-six percent diamond valued Le 7,912 new notes, seventy three percent diamond valued Le 5,037, and one carat fifty five percent diamond valued Le 21,390, all to the total valued of NLE 511,589 property of Alusine Mohamed Conteh, whiles in the custody of Moses Brima Conteh.
It was further alleged that the accused, Sao Fefegulah, sometimes in September, 2023, at the same town, did receive one four carat fifteen percent diamond valued Le 477,250 New Leones from Ibrahim Barrie, knowing same to have been stolen.
Whiles counts four added that the accused Sao Fefegulah on the same date and place in Kenema district fraudulently converted to his own use and benefit certain property-one four carat fifteen percent diamond valued Le 477,250 new Leones entrusted to him by Ibrahim Barrie for the purpose of sale, property of Alusine Mohamed Conteh.
The state Prosecutor was ready to lead in a witness in court to testify, but the witness was absent in court, so he sought for an adjournment for him to be brought to court.
The accused persons were not represented by any legal counsel in court and no bail application was made on their behalves.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Ngegba adjourned the matter to the 30th November 2023 for further hearings.