According to the Particulars of Offence the four alleged SIM box fraudsters conspired with other persons unknown to defraud the Government of Sierra Leone on Saturday 17 November this year.
The charge sheet further indicated that the four accused persons established, maintained and operated an unauthorized public communication network at No.38G Cantonment Road. Brookfields in Freetown.
They are charged with offences of Conspiracy to Defraud, contrary to law and the Establishment of an Unauthorized Public Communication Network, which negates Section (1) of the National Telecommunications Act of 2006.
The four accused persons were arrested with seven laptop computers, four hundred and seventy four mobile phones, one green Range Rover with Ghanaian registration number; GF75222GH, monitor and CPU gadgets in their possession.
Canvassing the presiding Magistrate Santigie Bangura to admit the accused persons to bail, the lead counsel for all the accused persons, Mohamed Sahid Bangura submitted that his clients have been in police custody for twenty-four days.
He told the court that the accused persons have reliable and credible sureties who are ready and willing to enter into recognizance on their behalf.
Barrister Mohamed Sahid Bangura further submitted that the accused persons are not flight risks, nor would they interfere with prosecution witness or witnesses and that they will always be present in court on every adjourned date.
Responding to the submissions made by counsel representing the accused persons, the State Counsel, Juan M. S. Bull intimated the court that the accused persons are charged with very serious criminal offences.
She continued to state that if the accused persons are admitted to bail, there is the likelihood that they would jump bail or interfere with prosecution witness or witnesses.
Lawyer Juan Bull further submitted that the presiding magistrate should take into cognizance the fact that three of the four accused persons are Chinese nationals, and she therefore, vehemently opposed to bail.
In his wisdom, Magistrate Santigie Bangura ruled that the accused persons be remanded at the Male Correctional Centre at Pademba Road in Freetown, as he indicated that three of the accused persons are possible flight risks.
He noted that the matter touches and concerns the Government of Sierra Leone, and that the State should be protected and for the public to feel satisfied that justice was being done.
The matter comes up again on Monday 17 December 2018.
