Magistrate Remands Surveyors For Land Fraud

By Fatmata Mohamed Bangura
Thirty-three-year-old Saio Turay a Surveyor and thirty-year-old Fara Bangalie Kamara a Surveyor made another appearance before Magistrate John Manso Fornah of Pademba Road Court No.2 on four count charges to wit conspiracy contrary to law and three count ranging from obtaining money by false pretences contrary to section 32 (1) of the Larceny Act 1916.
According to the particulars of offence on a date between 1st to 10th May 2024 at Youyi Building Canteen in the Western Area of Freetown conspired together and with other persons unknown to commit a felony to wit obtaining money by false pretences
Count two further stated that on the same date and place the accused persons obtained the sum of fifty thousand Leones (NLe50,000) from Ansumana Conteh by falsely pretending that they have a Stated Land for sale situated lying and being at Grafton Highway knowing same to be false.
Count three further stated that on the 1st May 2024 at 7c Hill Cut Road Wilberforce in the Western Area of Freetown the accused persons obtained the sum of five thousand five hundred Leones (NLe5,500) from Ansumana Conteh by falsely pretending that they will prepare his land document knowing same to be false.
Count four further stated that on the same date and place the second accused person obtained the sum of two thousand Leones (NLe2,000) from Ansumana Conteh by falsely pretending that he has surveyed his one and half town lot situated lying and being at Grafton Highway knowing same to be false.

When the charges were read and explained to the accused persons no plea taken.
The prosecutor Deputy Superintendent of Police Sorie Conteh led in prosecution witness number one Ansumana Conteh a driver he recognized the accused persons in the dock during the time he was about to purchase a piece of land and recalled that on diverse dates between the 1st to 10th May 2024, he was at his place of work when he met the second accused person who told him that he has land for sale. That they exchanged phone numbers and that himself the second accused together with his wife Yatta Sama went to a land at Hill Station which the first accused showed him and asked if he is interested in it.
He said that he showed interest and that the second accused took him to the Director of Lands Momoh Banya who asked the accused who he located the land.
He said that the first accused claimed ownership to the piece of land and the second accused asked for the sum of five thousand five hundred Leones (NLe5,500) to prepare the documents for the land which he gave him.
He continued that he together with the second accused, five officials form the Ministry of Lands, his elder brother Mohamed Conteh and an old man named Pagal went to survey the land.
That the accused persons took him to the Director of Lands where he was told to pay one and ten thousand Leones (NLe110,000) for the piece of land and negotiated for ninety-five thousand Leones (NLe95,000). That the Director instructed him to erect a structure on the piece of land before making payment, but that the accused refused and insisted that he must make payment.
That they went to the Director to make part payment who asked for the payment to be made at the Youyi Building Canteen on the grounds that his office full.
That during the advance payment of fifty thousand Leones (NLe50,000), the Director left scene realizing that photograph was about to be taken.
Meanwhile Magistrate Fornah refused bail and sent the accused persons to the Male Correctional facility in Freetown and adjourned matter to the 17th September 2025.