By Mohamed Mansaray in  Kenema

Two individuals, Francis Deen, a 25-year-old bike rider residing at C-Curve, and Lamin Bangura, a 22-year-old bike mechanic from Nyandeyama, have been committed to the High Court in Kenema by Magistrate Hadiru Daboh of Magistrate Court No. 1. The duo faces charges of conspiracy contrary to law and fraudulent conversion contrary to Section 20(1)(iv)(b) of the Larceny Act of 1916.

According to the prosecution, the alleged offense occurred on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at Bicycle Field in Kenema, located in the Nongowa Chiefdom of the Eastern Province. The two accused reportedly conspired with unknown individuals to commit fraudulent conversion.

Specifically, Francis Deen is accused of fraudulently converting to his own use a HLX motorcycle, bearing registration number AWP 492, valued at Twenty-Six Thousand Five Hundred New Leones (NLe 26,500). The motorcycle had been entrusted to him by Yusuf Stevens Conteh for the purpose of commercial bike riding.

During the proceedings, no plea was taken by either of the accused. After reviewing the evidence presented, Magistrate Daboh ruled that the prosecution had established a prima facie case, warranting a trial at the High Court.

Having considered the prosecution’s evidence in its entirety, this court finds sufficient grounds to commit both accused persons to stand trial in the High Court,” Magistrate Daboh stated in his ruling.

The case was prosecuted by Police Inspector Alphan Samuel Musa, who is attached to the Legal and Justice Support Department at the Kenema Police Division.

The accused are expected to appear before the High Court in the coming weeks as the case proceeds to trial.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday,30th July, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)