Magistrate Mark Ngegba of Pademba Road Court No1 has granted two Argentinians bail in the sum of Nle300,000 who were in court for fraud.
Jose Ignacio Castelluchio and Zdravko Voglar are arraigned on four counts of fraudulently conversion contrary to section 20(1(iv(a) of The Larceny Act 1916, conspiracy to commit a felony contrary to law, store breaking and larceny.
According to the indictments, on count one, the first defendant Jose Ignacio Castelluchio on a date unknown between December 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022, in Mamanki in the Tonkolili district in the Northern province, fraudulently converted to his own use 700 grams of gold, valued at US$ 47,750 entrusted to him by the complainants Mary Jartu Kosia and Abubakarr Sidikie Koroma.
It was further alleged on count two that, Jose Ignacio Castelluchio on a date unknown between 20th and 23rd January 2023, in Magburuka, conspired with other person’s unknown to commit house breaking and larceny.
Counts three further states that, the defendants Jose Ignacio Castelluchio and Zdravko Voglar on the February 4, 2023, in Mamanki, Tonkolili district broke and entered into the store of the complainants and stole 100 grams of gold valued at US$65,000, and 20 gallons of diesel valued at NLe 1,720/00, all property of the complainants.
While counts four states that, the two defendants on diverse dates between 1st February 2023 and 31st March 2023, in Mamanki, Tonkolili district stole 230 gallons of diesel valued at NLe 19,780/00, all properties of the complainants.
When the charges were read and explained to them, they did not take their plea.
The prosecutor Lawyer Hindolo M Gevao requested for an adjournment to prepare his witnesses.
Defense counsel Claudius Campbell applied for bail on behalf of both defendants, stating that his clients were not flight risk.
Lawyer Gevao in reply, opposed to bail on the grounds that the accused are not Sierra Leoneans, noting that if granted bail, will jump bail and flee.
Magistrate Ngegba having listened to both sides granted bail to the accused persons in the sum of 300 thousand new Leones and one surety each in like sum, adding that they must be gainfully employed and have a bank statement showing not less than Le150 million.
He said that the bail should be verified by him and approved by master and registrar.
The matter was adjourned to October 16, 2023.
