By Mamajah Jalloh
Freetown, Sierra Leone – On Thursday, 21st November 2024, five individuals, including students and businesspersons, appeared before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court No. 2 in connection with an alleged bank fraud case. The accused, Sheku Kamara (alias “Publish Student”), Saio Foday Jalloh, Ansumana Marrah, Samuel Mansaray, and Mohamed Musa Kamara, face three counts of conspiracy to defraud and larceny by servant, in violation of the Larceny Act of 1916.
The charges, according to the particulars of the offense, state that between January and April 2024, in Makeni, Bombali District, the accused conspired to defraud the Best New Bank Company of a total sum of Five Million, Eight Hundred and Ninety Thousand, Three Hundred and Sixty Three Leones (Le 5,890,363).
Count two specifically accuses Samuel Mansaray of stealing One Hundred and Five Thousand, Two Hundred Leones (Le 105,200) from the bank’s account by fraudulently generating electronic cash pickup codes. Count three similarly accuses Mohamed Musa Kamara of stealing Eight Hundred and Forty One Thousand, One Hundred and Eighty Nine Leones (Le 841,189) using the same fraudulent method.
When the charges were read, all five defendants pleaded not guilty. The prosecution, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police Dialla Wellington, requested a short adjournment as key witnesses were unavailable.
Magistrate Bangura, citing the gravity of the charges, refused bail for the accused and remanded them to the male correctional center in Freetown. The case has been adjourned to 26th November 2024 for further proceedings.
