By Mamajah Jalloh
The alleged fraud case involving Augustine Kanssie Madingo continued on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, before Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah at Pademba Road Court No.1, with the prosecution tendering key exhibits in support of its case.
The accused is standing trial on a one-count charge of obtaining money by false pretences, contrary to Section 32(1) of the Larceny Act, 1916.
According to the charge sheet, Madingo allegedly defrauded Moses Aiah Komba of Le48,000 between 2024 and 2025 at Godrich, Freetown, by falsely representing that he had zinc for sale, knowing the claim to be untrue.
When the charge was read and explained to the accused, no plea was taken.
Led in evidence by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ibrahim Mansaray, the prosecution’s first witness, Detective Police Constable Alimamy Kamara (PDC 17809) of the Criminal Investigations Department, testified that he recognized the accused and recalled that on May 5, 2025, the complainant reported the matter at the CID headquarters, Pademba Road. He said the case was subsequently assigned to him for investigation.
The witness further told the court that on January 9, 2026, statements were obtained from the complainant and other witnesses, after which the accused was arrested. He produced and tendered the arrest warrant, which was admitted into evidence and marked as Exhibit A.
Detective Kamara also testified that between January 9 and January 12, 2026, a voluntary caution statement was obtained from the accused in the presence of Detective Police Kamara A.I. (11676). He explained that the accused was cautioned and questioned in Krio, while the statement was recorded in English and later interpreted to him in Krio. The accused confirmed the statement to be true and correct by affixing his right-hand thumbprint. The statement was tendered and admitted as Exhibit B1–16.
The witness added that on January 13, 2026, the accused was formally charged with fraudulent conversion.
At the end of the proceedings, Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah remanded the accused at the Male Correctional Centre in Freetown and adjourned the matter to February 3, 2026, for further hearing.
