By: Audrey Raymonda John
Ishmael Hortons Jalloh, a 39-year-old businessman, made another appearance before Magistrate John Manso Fornah of Pademba Road Court No. 2 on Wednesday, 10th September 2025, in connection with an ongoing case of alleged larceny by servant.
The accused faces one count charge of Larceny by Servant, contrary to Section 17(1)(a) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the police charge sheet, between 5th September 2022 and November 2024, at Ecobank Head Office in Freetown, in the Western Area of Sierra Leone, the accused who was employed as a Card Operations Officer at Ecobank Sierra Leone Limited allegedly stole the sum of Nine Hundred and Eighty-One Thousand, Two Hundred and Sixty-Eight Leones and Thirty-Eight Cents (Le 981,268.38) in new notes.
The money was reportedly taken from the Ecobank General Ledger and deposited into Car Tech Account Number: 6340005879, from which it was later withdrawn by the account holder on the accused’s instructions. The said funds are the property of Ecobank Sierra Leone Limited.
When the charge was read and explained to the accused, no plea was taken.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Dialla Wellington, prosecuting, led the first prosecution witness, Osman David Kamara, who serves as the Head of Internal Audit at Ecobank Freetown.
In his testimony, Kamara stated that he recognizes the accused as a former staff member who worked in the Card Operations Unit. He explained that his role as internal auditor includes carrying out independent and objective audits and investigations to evaluate and improve the bank’s operations, risk management, corporate governance, and internal controls.
Following the testimony, the prosecution requested an adjournment to allow time for a conference with the witness.
Defense counsel J.B. Massaquio applied for bail on behalf of the accused, arguing that his client has reliable sureties and poses no flight risk, as he had been previously granted police bail and had complied with all appearances.
The application was made pursuant to Section 79(2) and (3) of the Criminal Procedure Act of 1916.
Magistrate Fornah ruled for the continuation of bail for the accused and adjourned the matter to 19th September 2025 for the continuation of trial.