By: Alimatu Kargbo
Forty-one-year-old Mohamed Nicol, a businessman, has been remanded at the male correctional facility in Freetown by Magistrate John Manso Fornah of Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown, on a count charge of obtaining money by false pretenses, contrary to Section 32(1) of the Larceny Act 1916.
According to the particulars of offence, between Wednesday 1st January and 31st October 2025, at No. 11 Alusine Street, Juba Hill in the Western Area of Freetown, the accused allegedly, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of three hundred and eleven thousand Leones (Le311,000) from Victor Coker by falsely pretending that he would secure a Canadian visa and facilitate his travel to Canada, knowing same to be false.
When the charge was read and explained to the defendant, he pleaded not guilty.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Sorie Conteh led prosecution witness number one, Victor Coker, a contractor, who told the court that he knew the defendant through one Mr Desmond, also known as “The Gunners.” He recalled that during the said period, he and his wife, Mariatu Coker, paid the defendant the sum of Le311,000 for a Canadian visa programme. He further stated that the defendant initially demanded the sum of fourteen thousand United States dollars (US$14,000) for the process.
At this point, the prosecution requested a short adjournment.
Counsel representing the defendant, M.A. Kamara Esq., applied for bail on behalf of his client, stating that the accused has reliable sureties with fixed addresses and would not abscond. He made his application pursuant to Section 76(1) of the Criminal Procedure Act 2024.
However, Magistrate Fornah refused bail, citing the seriousness of the offence. The matter was adjourned to 22nd April 2026.
