By: Audrey Raymonda John
Four employees of First Step Foreign Exchange Bureau have been remanded at the Male Correctional Centre in Freetown after appearing before Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah of Pademba Road Court No. 1 on allegations of conspiracy to defraud and embezzlement involving more than Le11.7 million.
The accused are Donald Jones, 30; Ladipo Thomas, 28; Noah Turay, 36; and Jonathan Tamba Fillie, 35. They are facing a total of 24 counts, including one count of conspiracy to defraud, contrary to law, and 23 counts of embezzlement, contrary to Section 17(1)(b) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the particulars of the offence, the accused allegedly conspired with other persons unknown between 1 May 2025 and 19 May 2026 in Freetown to defraud First Step Foreign Exchange Bureau.
The charge sheet further alleges that, during the same period, the defendants fraudulently embezzled Le11,709,630, money allegedly received from customers on behalf of First Step Foreign Exchange Bureau.
When the charges were read and explained in court, no pleas were taken because the matter is before the court as committal proceedings.
Prosecuting the case, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Eric Deen informed the court that the prosecution had served the defendants with copies of the case file and the preliminary inquiry documents.
Magistrate Jah refused bail, citing the seriousness of the offences. The matter was adjourned to 7 July 2026 for further proceedings.