By: Audrey Raymonda John
In a financial scandal involving Commerce and Mortgage Bank (CMB), Sylvanus Mustapha Bockarie Fatoroma, a bank employee, was arrested on January 22, 2025, by Detective Inspector A.S. Mansaray. Fatoroma now faces 28 serious charges related to a large-scale financial fraud at the bank.
The accused is facing:
12 counts of forgery
13 counts of uttering forged documents
1 count of conspiracy to defraud
1 count of larceny by a servant
Between August 2, 2022, and September 5, 2024, Fatoroma, along with unidentified accomplices, allegedly orchestrated a scheme to siphon 78,500 New Leones (NLe), equivalent to 78,500,000 old Leones, from an account (0021111651016) belonging to Idrissa Bangura. The prosecution claims Fatoroma manipulated records to make it appear that Bangura had withdrawn the funds, although the transaction was entirely fraudulent.
During court proceedings, Detective Inspector A.S. Mansaray, attached to the Economic and Financial Fraud Unit at CID Headquarters, testified that the case was reported on January 9, 2025, and assigned for investigation. Statements were taken from the complainant, Mamadu Jah Kamara, and other bank employees. Fatoroma was interrogated in Krio, with his statements recorded in English.
According to the police, Fatoroma admitted to the allegations and confirmed his statements by affixing his right-hand thumbprint. His statements were tendered as Exhibits P1-3 in court.
Under cross-examination, defense lawyer J. Ansumana questioned the investigation’s findings, including whether the account holder, Idrissa Bangura, had authorised the transactions. The prosecution argued that no legitimate letter of authority was found.
Fatoroma’s defense requested bail, arguing that he had been in detention for several months and was willing to cooperate. The court granted bail at 2,500 NLe, with two sureties residing in Freetown, who provided national ID cards as guarantees.
The case has been adjourned to March 16, 2025, as the court continues to hear further testimonies and examine evidence.
