Two accused persons, Tamba Sulaiman Chendenka and Alhaji Musa Sheriff also known as Alhaji Musa Suma, were yesterday remanded at the maximum security prison on Pademba Road for allegedly defrauding Subhash Patel and Mayour Patel the sum of US$106,300 (one hundred and six thousand, three hundred United States dollars). The said money was paid by the complainants for the purpose of procuring 14.9 carats of diamond. The accused were arraigned on 13 counts of conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence and fraudulent conversion, contrary to the laws of Sierra Leone.

According to the particulars of offence, the accused on diverse dates between 1st July 2012 to 13th May 2013, conspired with other persons unknown to defraud the complainants of the said amount in exchange of 14.9 carats of diamond, for which the accused persons should have secured documentation to export by way of acquiring export license at the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources, knowing same to be false.

In his testimony, Detective Police Constable 7810 Mohamed, attached to the Transnational Organised Crime Unit, told the court that he recalled on May 28, 2013 while on duty when Detective Woman Police 1631 Conteh S.E. brought the matter of conspiracy to defraud and obtaining money by false pretence in respect of the said amount, to be investigated.

He explained that during the cause of investigation, he had gathered information from one Isatu Barrie, who is the second prosecution witness, that the 1st accused (Chendenka) was in Guinea. He further explained that on 24 June, he and Inspector Emmanuel Cole escorted Isatu Barrie to Guinea where the first accused was arrested, adding that on 27 June, the second accused (Alhaji) was arrested by Ms. Barrie at Murray Town and handed over to the police for investigation.

The police detective also said that on the same date, he and Inspector Cole jointly interviewed the accused persons and obtained separate statements from them in Krio, which was recorded in English. He admitted the statement was true and correct.

He also said that on 4th July both accused persons were charged with the offence of conspiracy to defraud and obtaining money by false pretence. Magistrate Kamanda adjourned the matter to 7 August 2013 for further hearing.