By: Mohamed Sahr
Jacob Koroma, a Plaintiff and former Divisional Head of Guaranty Trust Bank on the 22nd May 2023 appeared before Justice Komba Kamanda of the High Court of Sierra Leone in Freetown to answer to an offence of unauthorized granting of loans to customers.
The Particulars of the claim stated that on the 26th of August 2021, Plaintiff Jacob Koroma was copied a letter addressed to Musa I. Kamara from the Head of Systems and Control Group on an allegation of two customers (Zone Supermarket and Eddie’s Bar and Grill) enjoying overdraft facilities of which the documentations were not yet being provided.
Going forward, Kamara’s explanation in relation to the understanding of the Credit System of the account was demanded. On another date which was 6th September 2021 the Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) wrote to Plaintiff Jacob Koroma the Divisional Head of Commercial Banking West attached to the Headquarters at Wilberforce Street, and Musa I. Koroma as the Group head attached at Lumley branch demanded an explanation based on his understanding of the credit status where nine customers were suspected of benefiting from unauthorized overdrafts.
Responding in an email sent to the Plaintiff, he stated that they knew nothing of the accounts and alleged that Musa I. Koroma proceeded to threaten him stating that if he chose to go down that road, it would not be in his favour as he was trying to shadow himself out of the picture in his response. The Plaintiff responded to the enquiry directed to him and stated that he lacked knowledge on the issue.
On 9th September 2021, Plaintiff Jacob Koroma had an unpleasant encounter with the Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank whilst he was reporting on the probability of the Bank at the Bank’s Monthly Performance Review (MPR) meeting. After the meeting, Plaintiff proceeded to discuss the encounter with the Head of Human Resources and informed her of his decision to resign since the Managing Director was allegedly finding ways to get at him. The Head of Human Resources on another hand advised the Plaintiff to hang on and exercise patience until the investigation of the unauthorized granting of loans ends.
On behalf of Guaranty Trust Bank, Defendant Counsel Fatmata Forster Esq cross-examined the plaintiff Jacob Koroma about the issue of an unauthorized granting of loans to customers of which he agreed that he was aware of unsecured exposure of seventy-two billion old Leones. He furthered that he had access to data as well as did make reports on credit status that were under the approval of management; adding that he only verified those with management approval.
The witness said he was the Divisional Head of Guaranty Trust Bank when the facilities were granted in 2019 and some in 2021. He also said as part of his mandate as a Divisional Head, he supervised various groups and reviewed what they reported to him.
The Plaintiff went further and said seven staff including him were investigated. He affirmed that only one staff was exonerated and the rest including him were dismissed and terminated.
Convincing the court about the correct procedures for to relocation of office and workstation, Plaintiff Jacob Koroma said in order to relocate a worker, there should be a memo from the Head of Human Resources highlighting the roles and responsibilities. Also, they should provide a workstation where one should seat and perform the necessary functions that he alleged that the GT Bank never considered doing.
Justice Kumba Kamanda gave an opportunity to the Counsel of the Plaintiff Elvis Kargbo Esq in order to re-examine his client. Elvis Kargbo asked the client whether he was relocated. Jacob Koroma said he was relocated without due processes and procedures.
However, Justice Kumba Kamanda adjourned the matter to the 7th of June 2023.