Lahai David Jimmy, a 54-year-old, appeared before Magistrate Sahr Kekura at Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, for the continuation of his trial on two counts of conspiracy to defraud and causing money to be paid under the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to police reports, the alleged fraud occurred between July 1 and August 3, 2024, in Freetown. Jimmy is accused of conspiring with unknown individuals to commit a crime. It is further alleged that Jimmy fraudulently caused Foday to pay $5,000 to one Mohamed for a Toyota RAV4 vehicle, which he knew to be falsely represented.
Frances Foday, a staff member at NIC, testified that she recognized Jimmy and recalled events from July and August 2024. Foday explained that she received an image of the Toyota RAV4 from one Ishmael via WhatsApp. After discussing the vehicle, she arranged to inspect it.
On August 1, Foday, accompanied by a car mechanic and Mohamed, visited Jimmy’s residence to view the vehicle. Although the mechanic identified some issues with the car, Jimmy claimed these were due to the vehicle being from a container and assured them of its good condition. After negotiations, they agreed on a price of $5,000.
Foday stated that on August 2, she contacted Mohamed to arrange payment. Mohamed instructed her to meet him at Wilberforce. Upon meeting, Mohamed took the money but then suggested they split into separate bikes for faster travel. Foday later discovered that Mohamed had taken a different route and disappeared. She proceeded to Jimmy’s residence, where she saw Mohamed with the vehicle. Unable to reach Jimmy, she reported the matter to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
The case, prosecuted by Inspector Sellu TAP, allowed Jimmy to cross-examine the witness in an attempt to prove his innocence. Jimmy was not represented by legal counsel.
Magistrate Kekura granted Jimmy bail in the sum of 5,000 Leones and adjourned the case to September 11, 2024.
