By: Audrey Raymonda John
Twenty six years old Alex Smith a Footballer made another appearance before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court No.3 in Freetown on three count charges to wit Conspiracy to defraud contrary to law, Forgery contrary to section 4 (1) of Forgery Act 1913 and Uttering Forged document contrary to section 6 (1) (2) of the Forgery Act of 1913.
According to the particulars of offence, on Thursday 13th April at Zenith Bank Sierra Leone Limited No.20 Rawdon Street the western area in Freetown, the accused with intent to defraud conspired together and with other persons unknown and forged the signature of Alpha Umaru Jalloh account at the said bank. Knowing same to be Forged, on count two on the above date and place the accused person with intent to defraud Forged certain document, to wit, Zenith Bank withdrawal slip with account Number 4110139988 bearing the name Alpha Umaru Jalloh dated 13/11/2023 purporting that it was prepared by Alpha Umaru Jalloh on count three at the same place and date. The accused person with intent to defraud, uttered one Zenith Bank Withdrawal Slip with account number 4110139988 bearing the name Alpha Umaru Jalloh, dated 13/11/2023 knowing the same to have been Forged.
Leading evidence by Deputy Superintendent of police Sorie Conteh and lead Prosecution witness number one Ishmael Bah an internal auditor at Zenith Bank Sierra Leone Limited, made sure that staff work in the policies of the bank and the laws of the state. He said knew one Alimamy Sesay as a colleague Staff at Zenith Bank SL limited and he recognized the accused person in the dock. He added that he came to know him in this matter when he was on duty in the said office something and transfer between the accused person and the bank.
He continued that at around 17:00hrs, the accused person made a withdrawal slip of Alpha Umaru Jalloh one of their customers, he worked on the slip with 300,5 with a wrong date November 2023 and also proceed the withdrawal slip to Alimamy Sesay one of his colleagues.
Counsel representing the accused person Musa Berate renewed his previous bail applications on behalf of the accused person
Meanwhile Magistrate Bangura refused bail and sent the accused person to the male correctional center in Freetown and the matter was adjourned to the 12th May 2023 for further hearing.