Man arraigned for alleged fraud

A man was recently arraigned before Magistrate Siranding of the Kanifing Magistrates' Court, charged with obtaining money by false pretence.

Sam Stephen pleaded not guilty of the charge and was granted bail of D50,000 with a Gambian surety who must deposit a national ID card.

According to the charge sheet, on 15 February 2010, at Latrikunda German, in the Kanifing Municipality, the accused, Sam Stephen, with intent to defraud, obtained five computer sets from one Ebrima Jallow with the representation that he would supply his (Sam's) customers within three days and surrender the proceeds, which was false.

Testifying, the first prosecution witness, Ebrima Jallow, told the court that he is businessman and he recognised the accused, Sam Stephen.

He said the accused used to buy goods from him and on 15 February 2010, the accused called him and said he needed computers, adding that he supplied him five computers.

The accused, the witness explained, told him to come back in three days for his money, adding that after three days he called the accused but he could not get him.

Jallow further told the court that he went to the house of the accused and asked for his money, but the accused told him to give him more time.

"After a lengthy wait, I took the matter to the Bakoteh Police Station and I later learned that the accused was taken to the Serious Crime Unit in Banjul and my statement was obtained at the Banjul CID office," he explained.

He further told the court that the total value of the five computers is D24,000.

Hearing continues.