By Mamajah Jalloh
Five individuals accused of conspiring to defraud the Best New Bank Company Sierra Leone Limited appeared before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Pademba Road Court No. 2 on Thursday, November 21, 2024. The accused—Sheku Kamara alias “Publish,” Saio Foday Jalloh, Ansumana Marrah, Samuel Mansaray, and Mohamed Musa Kamara—face charges of conspiracy to defraud and larceny by servant, contrary to the Larceny Act of 1916.
Prosecutors allege that between January and April 2024, in Makeni, Bombali District, Northern Province, the accused conspired with unknown individuals to defraud the bank of NLe 5,890,363. Samuel Mansaray and Mohamed Musa Kamara, both agents of the bank, face additional charges of stealing funds from the company’s accounts using fraudulent electronic cash pick-up codes.
Mansaray is accused of misappropriating NLe 105,200, while Kamara allegedly stole NLe 841,189 from the bank through similar methods.
The accused pleaded not guilty to all charges. Assistant Superintendent of Police Dialla Wellington, leading the prosecution, requested a short adjournment, citing the absence of key witnesses.
Magistrate Bangura denied bail, citing the seriousness of the offenses, and ordered the accused to be remanded at the Freetown Correctional Center. The case has been adjourned to November 26, 2024, for further hearings.
