By Mamajah Jalloh
Freetown – In a notable embezzlement trial, businessman Philip Vanjah was arraigned before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Pademba Road Court No. 2 on Monday, February 24, 2025. He faces one count of embezzlement under section 17 (1) b of the Larceny Act of 1916.
The charge details that between January and April 2024, at No. 17 Saika Stevens, Freetown, Vanjah fraudulently embezzled a total of one million, two hundred and five thousand, two hundred and seventy-five Leones (Le 1,205,275) that he received on behalf of Fundex Foreign Exchange Bureau Sierra Leone Limited. When the charge was read, Vanjah did not enter a plea.
During the proceedings, Assistant Commissioner of Police Joan Bull presented prosecution witness Alimamy Kamara, a detective attached to the Economic Unit at CID Headquarters, Freetown. Kamara testified that he was on duty when the complainant reported the alleged crime against Vanjah on August 12, 2024. He stated that statements were obtained from the complainant, who produced a copy of Vanjah’s appointment letter to aid the investigation. This letter was submitted as “Exhibit A1-2.”
Kamara further revealed that on September 3, 2024, a team of detectives executed a search warrant at Vanjah’s premises, uncovering documents of interest, which were marked as “Exhibit B1-8.” Between August 23 and September 3, he recorded voluntary statements from the accused in Krio, which were documented in English and confirmed by Vanjah’s signature. This statement was submitted as “Exhibit C1-94.”
Moreover, Kamara detailed that from September 26 to 30, 2024, additional interviews were conducted with Vanjah, and those statements were presented as “Exhibit D1-37.” On October 16, 2024, the accused was formally charged, with the charging document submitted as “Exhibit E1-3.”
In response, Defense Counsel A. Freeman requested bail for Vanjah, arguing that he is a Sierra Leonean who poses no flight risk and has reliable sureties ready to present themselves if needed. He also emphasized that Vanjah is a family man.
However, Magistrate Bangura denied the bail application, citing the serious nature of the charges and the vague nature of the defense’s arguments. Vanjah was remanded to the Male Correctional Center in Freetown, and the case has been adjourned until March 3, 2025, for the continuation of the trial.
