By Audrey Raymonda John
On Thursday, February 8, 2024, Francess Lawson, the Bank Manager of the LAPO Microfinance Makeni branch, appeared before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Court No.1 on charges of defrauding the institution of over one hundred million Leones. Lawson faces four counts, including conspiracy to defraud, embezzlement, forgery of documents, and uttering forged documents.
The accused Francess Lawson is charged on 4 counts ranging from conspiracy to defraud contrary to law, embezzlement Contrary to Section 17 (1) (b) of the Larceny Act 1916, forgery of document Contrary to Section 4 (1) of the Forgery Act of 1913 and uttering forged document Contrary to Section 6 (1) (2) of Forgery Act of 1913.
Particulars of offence on count 1, the accused Francess Lawson on a date between Saturday 1st April and Thursday 31 August 2023, in Makeni, Bombali district, with intent to defraud conspired together with other person’s unknown and defrauded the said bank the sum of one hundred and four thousand four hundred and sixteen new Leones (Nle104,416/00), property of the LAPO Micro Finance Sierra Leone Limited.
Count 2 state that the accused Francess Lawson on the same date and place fraudulently embezzled the sum of one hundred and four hundred and sixteen thousand new Leones (Nle104,416/00) received by her for and on account of Alpha Amadu Jalloh.
Count 3 state that the same accused on the same date and place with intent to defraud, forged certain document, to wit one LAPO Micro Finance Sierra Leone Limited Loan Application Form dated 1 December 2021, purporting that it was prepared and signed by Aminata Jalloh.
Count 4 State that the same accused on the same date and place with intent to defraud, uttered one LAPO Micro Finance Sierra Leone Limited Application Form dated 1 December 2021, knowing same to have been forged.
The accused is refused and remanded in custody until the 15th February 2024.
ASP Ibrahim Mansaray is prosecuting the matter.
