Magistrate Gbloh Sets Woman Free
By: Alimatu Kargbo
A petty trader, Dusu Sesay, has been acquitted and discharged by Magistrate Julia-Mary Gbloh after the court found that the prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that she fraudulently converted 317 bags of charcoal entrusted to her by her boyfriend.
Sesay, a resident of Shell Old Road, Freetown, was prosecuted for fraudulent conversion, contrary to Section 20(1)(iv)(a) of the Larceny Act 1916.
According to the charge sheet, between 1 and 30 June 2025, at Hilltop Hill Station, Freetown, Sesay allegedly fraudulently converted to her own use or benefit 317 bags of charcoal, valued at Le110, which had allegedly been entrusted to her by Yembeh Kanku Mansaray for sale.
The case was heard at Pademba Road Magistrates’ Court No. 5, where the accused pleaded not guilty and elected to have the matter tried summarily.
In her judgment dated 17 August 2026, Magistrate Gbloh said there was no dispute that Mansaray had given Sesay the charcoal.
However, the central question before the court was why the charcoal was given to her and what agreement, if any, existed between the two parties concerning the proceeds from its sale.
The prosecution alleged that Mansaray gave Sesay the charcoal to sell on his behalf and expected her to account for the proceeds.
Sesay, however, gave a different account. She told the court that Mansaray was her boyfriend at the time and that he gave her the charcoal to sell and use the proceeds to take care of herself.
She denied that there was any agreement requiring her to sell the charcoal and hand the money back to him.
After considering the evidence, Magistrate Gbloh found that the prosecution had failed to produce independent evidence proving that Sesay was under an obligation to account for the proceeds.
The court noted that there was no written agreement, documentary evidence, communication or independent witness establishing such an arrangement between the parties.
Magistrate Gbloh held that the evidence left reasonable doubt as to whether Sesay was actually required to account for the proceeds of the charcoal.
The court stressed that a criminal conviction cannot be based on suspicion or conjecture and that the prosecution bears the burden of proving guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
The court ultimately concluded that the prosecution had failed to establish the necessary elements of fraudulent conversion.
Magistrate Gbloh therefore found Dusu Sesay not guilty, acquitted her of the charge and discharged her from the proceedings.
Sergeant Koroma S. prosecuted the matter, with M.A. Barrie Esq. associating, while A.B. Sesay Esq. represented Dusu Sesay.
