Woman Dupes Vista Bank Staff
Forty-three years old Umu Kutume Sauaqe, a business woman, has been sent to Pademba Road prison on alleged house rent fraud against Vista Bank Staff. The defendant is standing trial on a count charge, to wit: obtaining money by false pretenses Country to Section 32 (1) of the Larceny Act 1916
According to the particulars of offense, on 15th April 2025 at #2 Charlotte Street in the western area, in Freetown, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of twenty eight thousand five hundred Leones(28,500) from Samuel Sellu by falsely pretending that she has four rooms and a parlour for let, knowing same to be false.
When the charge was read and explained to the defendant, she pleaded not guilty.
The Prosecutor Sergeant 3379 Theresa Ballay, led Prosecution Witness number One, Samuel Sellu, a banker at Vista Bank, who confirmed recognizing the defendant in the matter, and recalled on the 15th April 2025 that something transpired between himself and the defendant on the 10th April 2025, adding that a brother by the name of Jame was looking for place, and he called him and informed him that there is a four bedroom apartment for rent at the place where he rented for himself. James , he furthered, went to the place where he met the defendant and her husband as well as her daughter. The defendant led them to the said apartment and opened it and showed them the inside of the house. They then negotiated and agreed on 19,000 for one year. However, the defendant requested for two years rent, but he told her he will only be able to pay for one year six months; equivalent to (28,500), to which she agreed.
On the 15th April 2025 the defendant together with one man that she alleged is the younger brother of her husband, called Abdulrahman Sauaqe. He maintained that he then alerted his friends at the bank that he wants to pay rent and that they should serve as witness on the receipt.
He disclosed that at that juncture, the defendant told him that she is called Kadie Kallon. He then paid the said sum of 28,500 to the defendant at the Vista Bank, for which a receipt was prepared, which she signed and his witness also signed the receipt. This was produced and tendered in court to form part of the court records
PW1 continued that on the 19th April 2025 the defendant issued him with a receipt for the said payment, but he discovered that the said receipt does not bear the address of the house, adding that the defendant told him that she will make a receipt in that regard, bearing all the details.
PW1 revealed that when he attempted to take occupation of the house, he discovered that the defendant and family had gone awol, and were no where to be seen.
At this stage the Prosecutor sought for a short adjournment date
Meanwhile, Magistrate Fornah refused bail and sent the defendant to the female correctional facility in Freetown and adjourned the matter to the 1st April 2026.
