By: Audrey Raymonda John
The Branch Manager of Sky Bank Limited in Makeni, Tamba Mani, has been arraigned before the court for allegedly defrauding the bank of more than NLe2 million through unlawful means.
Manager Mani is facing three counts, including conspiracy to defraud, larceny by servant contrary to Section 17(1)(a) of the Larceny Act of 1916, fraudulent embezzlement, and money laundering contrary to Section 25(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating of the Financing of Terrorism and Financing the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction Act of 2024.
According to the charge sheet, on Thursday, 14 August 2025, at the Sky Bank Makeni Branch, the accused allegedly conspired with unknown persons, with intent to defraud, to deprive Sky Bank Limited of substantial funds.
The prosecution further alleges that, while serving as Branch Manager, Mani stole and fraudulently embezzled the sum of Two Million, Three Hundred and Eighty-Five Thousand New Leones (NLe2,385,000) from the bank.
Additionally, the charge sheet states that he illicitly converted the said amount, knowing it to be proceeds derived from unlawful activity.
Detective Police Constable 17712 Mohamed Lauwa, attached to the Economic and Financial Crime Department at CID Headquarters, testified in court. He tendered both the voluntary and caution statements of the accused, along with other documents provided to the police by the bank.
Defence Counsel W. Gaber requested an adjournment to allow time to review the documents presented before proceeding with cross-examination of the police witness.
Manager Mani was remanded in custody pending the continuation of the matter on 2 March 2026.