By Mamajah Jalloh
On Monday, 2 February 2026, Augustine Kainessie Mandigo was committed to the High Court to face trial for obtaining money by false pretence, contrary to Section 32(1) of the Larceny Act of 1916, by Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah.
Mandigo was arrested on 14 January 2026 following allegations that, between 2024 and 2025, at Goderich in Freetown, he fraudulently obtained Le48,000 from Moses Aiah Komba by falsely claiming to have zinc sheets for sale—knowing the claim was untrue.
During the preliminary hearing, Detective Police Constable Mohamed Mattia (badge number 19841) of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Hill Station, identified Mandigo in court and testified that the case was first reported to him on 3 May 2025.
DPC Mattia stated that he and his colleague, DPC 14940 Samsie Moseray, obtained statements from the complainant and a witness. The complainant also presented a payment receipt, which was kept in police custody and tendered in court as Exhibits A1–A3.
The accused was cautioned and questioned in Krio, with the statement later translated and explained in English. Mandigo confirmed the statement’s accuracy by affixing his right thumbprint, and it was admitted as Exhibits B1–B7. A final charge statement was recorded, witnessed, and admitted as Exhibits C1–C7.
After reviewing the evidence, Magistrate Jah ruled that the prosecution had established a prima facie case and committed Mandigo to the High Court for further trial.
