By Alimatu Kargbo
A 38-year-old man, Andrew Kargbo, has appeared before Magistrate John Manso Fornah of Pademba Road Magistrate Court No. 2 in Freetown on a charge of fraudulent conversion involving US$9,114 from the sale of a vehicle. Kargbo is charged with one count of Fraudulent Conversion, contrary to Section 20(1)(iv)(a) of the Larceny Act, 1916.
According to the indictment, between 1st and 30th September 2024 at the Youyi Building, Brookfields, Freetown, the accused allegedly converted to his own use US$9,114 (equivalent to Le216,000), being part of the proceeds from the sale of a white 2016 Toyota 4Runner valued at US$20,000. The vehicle had allegedly been entrusted to him by businessman Alimamy Kamara for sale.
No plea was taken after the charge was read and explained to the accused.
Led in evidence by DSP Conteh, the complainant, Alimamy Kamara, testified that he met the accused at the Brookfields bus stop, where Kargbo informed him that he had secured a buyer for the vehicle. They agreed on a sale price of US$20,000.
The witness told the court that the accused later handed over a Sport Edition Jeep and US$5,000, leaving an outstanding balance of US$10,000. Despite repeated promises to settle the balance, the accused allegedly failed to honour the agreement, prompting him to report the matter to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters in December 2024.
Kamara further testified that he later arrested the accused at Kingharman Road in September 2025 and handed him over to CID officers.
Following negotiations involving the accused’s family, Le10,000 was paid as part payment, with an agreement that the remaining balance would be settled in monthly instalments of Le4,000. However, the payments stopped after three months.
He added that the accused was later arrested in Makeni and transferred to Freetown, where he made a statement to the police.
During the proceedings, defence counsel informed the court that both parties had agreed on a repayment plan. In furtherance of that agreement, the accused paid another Le10,000 in court, which the complainant accepted and acknowledged by signing for the payment.
Magistrate John Manso Fornah adjourned the matter to 4th August 2026 for further hearing.
