By Mamajah Jalloh
In an ongoing embezzlement trial, Philip Vanjah a businessman on Monday, 4th November, 2024, was again arraigned before magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court No 2 on one count charge of embezzlement, contrary to section 17 (1) b of the larceny Act 1916.
According to the particulars of offence, that you on a date unknown between January and April, 2024 at No. 17 Saika Stevens Freetown, in western area of Sierra Leone, fraudulently embezzled the total sum of one million, two hundred and five thousand, two hundred and seventy five Leones (Le 1,205,275) received by you for and on account of Fundex Foreign Exchange Bureau Sierra Leone Limited.
When the charge was read and explained to the accused person no plea was given.
The prosecutor Assistant Commissioner of Police, Joan Bull sought for a short adjournment date to tender her exhibit.
Joan Bull mentioned that they have identified several documents before this honourable court and they are ready to proceed with speedy trial and bail is in the favour of the Magistrate and wished that bail is not granted.
The Defence Council A. Freeman applied for bail on behalf of the accused person that he is a Sierra Leoneans and will not interfere with the prosecution witness. He added he is not a flight risk and has reliable sureties to be arraigned themselves whenever called upon. Freeman furthered he is a family man and pleaded for cross examination based on the evidence tendered as it’s apparent that the charges before the magistrate are serious.
The complainant Leo Sahid Koroma who is a business man confirmed that he recognized the accused person as his Manager for Fundex Foreign Exchange Sierra Leone Limited for the Western Region. Sahid noted he had established business unit a capital of (Le239, 000, 00) and deposited (Le1, 000, 000, 000, and 00). Leo recalled that in March he requested for a meeting with the accused on three occasions, but he never shown up. He went on to say that the accused person has deleted all their conservation via on email and WhatsApp chart. Kamara testified that he later realized that moneys were withdrawn from Bloom Bank Africa Limited without his approval.
Sahid Koroma confirmed that he opened an account and recognized the said account which was tendered as exhibit one to four. He also confirmed the memorandum of understanding which was produced as evidence and tendered as one to nineteenth. Letter of appointment as business manager was also recognized and identified for recognition and tendered as A1 to 2. Sahid noted that the two accounts were produced for identification as B one to 12. Also the term and condition for the foreign account was presented as B 1 to 12. The complainant’s laptop and phone were tendered for investigation at CID.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Bangura refused bail based on the seriousness of the offence the accused was charged for.
However, the case was adjourned to the 7 of November, 2024, for further hearings.
