By Mamajah Jalloh
Freetown, Sierra Leone – Guaranty Trust Bank (GT Bank), alongside Nigerian national Patrick Adeyemi Egunnike and two others, appeared before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court No. 2 on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, facing allegations of financial fraud involving Ibrahim Bazzy and Sons Limited.
The accused are charged with six counts, including Conspiracy to Defraud, Falsification of Accounts, Forgery, Uttering Forged Documents, Failure to Keep Transaction Records, and Fraudulent Conversion of Property.
According to the prosecution, the offenses occurred between July 1, 2015, and July 31, 2017, in Freetown. The accused allegedly conspired to falsify financial records and defraud Ibrahim Bazzy and Sons Limited.
The charges include forging the signature of Hussein Ibrahim Bazzy on a banking facility offer dated July 31, 2017, and presenting the forged document as authentic. Additionally, the bank is accused of failing to keep proper records for loans issued to Admiral Trading Limited and Ibrahim Bazzy and Sons Limited.
One count alleges that on July 20, 2017, GT Bank fraudulently converted a real estate title deed, entrusted to the bank for safekeeping, for its own use.
During the hearing, the charges were read, but no plea was taken from the accused. State Prosecutor Yusuf Isaac Sesay called on the defense to clarify the absence of one of the accused individuals, as required by court order.
Defense counsel Roland Wright informed the court that one of the accused was unwell and committed to ensuring their presence at the next hearing. Wright requested a brief adjournment.
Magistrate Bangura denied bail, ordering the accused to remain in custody at the Male Correctional Center in Freetown.
The case has been adjourned to November 20, 2024, for further proceedings. The allegations, which involve significant breaches of financial trust, are being closely watched as they involve a major financial institution and its handling of client transactions.
