By Mamajah Jalloh
In an ongoing embezzlement trial, Philip Vanjah a businessman on Thursday, 7 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 as bail is in the favour of the Magistrate and wished that bail is not granted.
The Defence Counsel 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 that 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 (le 1,000, 000, 000, 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 Kamara testified that he later realized that moneys were withdrawn from Bloom Bank Africa Limited without his approval.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 identifications as B1 to 12. Also the terms and condition for the foreign account was presented as B1 to 12. The complainant’s laptop and phone were tendered for investigation at CID.
During cross examination, Sahid wanted this honourable court to believe that the accused person withdrew the sum of One Billion Leones and said yes. Dr Koroma noted that he withdrew money from the said account. He could remember that in February this year 5,900,000 was not withdrew. He recalled that on the 17 March this year he held a meeting with Fundex Foreign Sierra Leone Limited. Dr Koroma stated that the dinner he had with his staffs at Wilkinson Road were not for merits basis, but to breakfast with them. Dr Koroma confirmed that he knew the said Abdulia, never knew he withdrew Le160,000 from the account. Dr Koroma testified that he known Fatima and was aware that she withdrew 85,000 from the account. He noted that Fatima only withdrew money from the account when the accused was fired. Dr Koroma furthered that Isaa Konneh was the auditor for Fundex Foreign Limited and was fired together with the accused person. He disagreed with counsel that the role of the auditor is not to make profit. He added that Fundex foreign Limited has only one auditor and disagreed that not every withdrawal has his approval as the accused person is a dignitary to the account, but not without the approval of the accused person who was the business manager. Dr Koroma concluded that the money withdraw from the account was not used for it actual purpose and all staffs were paid from the commission account
Meanwhile, Magistrate Bangura granted bail to the accused person in the sum of One Billion Leones, (Le1, 000, 000, 000. 00) with two sureties in like sum who must be responsible citizens. The sureties must operate account of not less than half of the sum of money contained in the charge sheet. One of them must be a property owner in the Western Area of the value not hers than the sum of money contained in the charge sheet. The bail is to be approved by the Master and Registrar.
However, the case was adjourned to the 8 of November, 2024, for further hearings.
