By Sahr Eric George
Freetown, Sierra Leone – Abdulai Turay, a resident of 10 Kandeh Town in Bo City, finds himself in custody at the Male Correctional Centre in Freetown, following charges of impersonation and fraud. Turay appeared before Magistrate Mark Ngegba to answer for five counts, including personation and obtaining money by false pretence.
The police allege that Turay, who held the profession of an accountant, engaged in a deception between November 25, 2022, and January 21, 2023, wherein he posed as a lecturer with a PhD at Njala University Towama in Bo City. During this period, he is accused of fraudulently obtaining fifteen million New Leones from Huliamatu Sillah and Eleen Parlina Sowa under the guise of offering scholarships for the Master’s program at the university.
Eleen Parlina Sowa, one of the individuals allegedly victimized by Turay, testified in court. She revealed that her friend, Huliamatu Sillah, introduced her to Turay, claiming that he was administering a scholarship program for aspiring Master’s students at Njala University. Sowa recounted receiving a phone call from Turay, who identified himself as a lecturer at Njala University and requested a payment of five million New Leones to secure a scholarship for her Master’s degree.
Sowa disclosed that she initially made a payment of three million Leones via Orange Money and was subsequently added to a WhatsApp group titled “Scholarship for Masters Group.” Despite her attempt to present a printout of the group’s activities as evidence in court, Magistrate Mark Ngegba ruled against Inspector Tamba Sellu, the police prosecutor, tendering the document as an exhibit.
The proceedings have been adjourned until October 4, 2023, as the case continues to unfold. SEG/19/9/2023
