By Alimatu Kargbo
A man convicted of multiple counts of business fraud has been sentenced to five years’ imprisonment by Pademba Road Magistrate Court No. 3 in Freetown.
The convict, Kawusu Tarawally, was sentenced by Magistrate Mamakoh Betty Kallon on five counts of obtaining money by false pretences and fraud, contrary to the Larceny Act 1916 and the Debtors Act 1969.
According to the prosecution, on 14 October 2024 at Bolling Street, Kingtom, Tarawally obtained Le 634,845 from Bashir Ahmed after falsely representing that he would enter into a business partnership to supply goods to the National Revenue Authority.
In a separate incident in July 2025 at the same location, he fraudulently obtained USD 10,000 (Le 237,000) from Mohamed Ahmed Ahmed under similar pretences. The court further heard that between 1 and 4 November 2025, Tarawally also obtained USD 17,000 (Le 402,900) from Ramadan Zayat through fraudulent means.
No plea was taken after the charges were read, with the prosecuting officer, Inspector Kamara, confirming that all witnesses and documentary evidence had been duly served on the defence.
In delivering her ruling, Magistrate Kallon sentenced Kawusu Tarawally to five years’ imprisonment, stating that her court would not tolerate acts of fraud and deceit.