By Blessing C Cole
Bassieru Samura, a Mercury retailer, made his first appearance before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown on charges of fraudulent conversion, contrary to Section 20 (i) (iv) (a) of the Larceny Act 1916.
According to the prosecution, on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at Big Waterloo Street in Freetown, Samura fraudulently converted to his own use two winning Mercury tickets, each valued at Le 1,222 for a total of 2,444 Leones. These tickets were entrusted to him by Kadiru Kaindakarr Sesay for delivery.
No plea was taken, and Samura was not represented by legal counsel. Deputy Superintendent of Police Sorie Conteh led the prosecution, calling Kadiru Kaindakarr Sesay, a Mercury retailer and the accused’s roommate, as the first witness.
Sesay recounted that on April 27, 2024, he handed twelve Mercury tickets to Samura for delivery to Daniel Vandy. Two of these tickets were later found to be winners. When Sesay reminded Vandy about the tickets, Vandy informed him that he had not received all of them.
Sesay then discovered that the winning tickets were missing and reported the matter to Central Police Station. Despite requests, Samura failed to produce the winning tickets or the corresponding money.
Magistrate Bangura denied bail and remanded Samura to the Male Correctional Center in Freetown. The case is adjourned to July 25, 2024, for further proceedings.
