By Blessing C Cole
Samuel Caulker, a 29-year-old businessman and motor mechanic, appeared before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of the Pademba Road Court No.1 in Freetown on charges of fraudulent conversion, a violation of Section 20 (1) (iv) (b) of the Larceny Act 1916.
The charge stems from an incident in 2019 at Pump Line, Off Kingharman Road in the Western Area of Freetown. It is alleged that Caulker fraudulently converted a Dogdo Audi Jeep, entrusted to him by Benjamin Macfoy for repair purposes, to his own benefit.
The converted property was valued Three Thousand United States Dollars, equivalent to Seventy Thousand Five Hundred Leones.
Sergeant 9939 Mohamed Lahai, the lead prosecution witness, stated that Benjamin Macfoy, working for the National Commission for Democracy as the Regional Commissioner for the Western Region, identified the accused person in the dock.
Macfoy had initially received a recommendation from his friend Lindon regarding Caulker’s skills as a trustworthy mechanic.
At this point, Sergeant Lahai requested a short adjournment date to conduct a thorough interview with the witness.
Counsel representing the accused, C.M.B Kamara Esq, applied for bail, emphasizing Caulker’s Sierra Leonean nationality and the availability of reliable sureties willing to vouch for him. The defense assured the court that the accused would not interfere with prosecution witnesses or jump bail.
However, Magistrate Kekura denied bail and ordered the accused person to be remanded at the Male Correctional Centre. Considering the gravity of the allegations, the matter was adjourned to 20th February 2023 for further proceedings.
