By Alima Kargbo
Magistrate Briama Jah has committed Osman Japtay to stand trial before the High Court over allegations that he fraudulently converted US$12,000 (Le288,000) entrusted to him for delivery to another individual.
Japtay was committed by the Magistrate after the court found sufficient evidence to warrant a full trial on a charge of fraudulent conversion, contrary to Section 20(1)(iv)(b) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the prosecution, the alleged offence occurred on 21 April 2026 at Lumley Street in Freetown, where the accused is alleged to have converted to his personal use money entrusted to him by Abdul Rahman Barrie for delivery to Mohamed Bluba Jagitay.
When the charge was read in court, no plea was taken, as the matter was before the magistrate solely for committal proceedings.
During the hearing, Detective Police Constable Brima Kargbo told the court that the accused had previously been served with the prosecution’s case file and witness statements. The prosecution presented its evidence before closing its case.
In delivering his ruling, Magistrate Jah said he had carefully reviewed the evidence and was satisfied that the prosecution had established a prima facie case requiring determination by the High Court.
He noted that the evidence was presented in the presence of the accused, who was accorded the opportunity to cross-examine the prosecution witness during the committal proceedings.
The magistrate subsequently committed Osman Japtay to the High Court of Sierra Leone for trial and ordered that he be remanded at the Male Correctional Centre pending his next court appearance.
