By Audrey Raymonda John
In a recent development at Pademba Road Court No.1, Abdulai Barrie, a thirty-two-year-old businessman, made his inaugural court appearance before Magistrate Sahr Kekura. Barrie is confronted with three counts of serious charges, including Conspiracy to Defraud, Contrary to law, and two counts of Larceny by Servant, Contrary to Section 17 (1) (a) of the Larceny Act 1916.
The alleged offenses took place at Bloom Bank, Sierra Leone Limited, located at No. 3 Rawdon Street, Western Area in Freetown. The accusations claim that between November 13th and 19th, Barrie, along with accomplices Mohamed Lamin Bah and Ibrahim Sow, conspired to defraud Bloom Bank of a substantial sum totaling One Million Eight Hundred and Eighty-One Thousand, One Hundred and Fifty-Three New Leones and Ninety-Five cents (Nle 1,881,153.95).
Furthermore, Barrie, who served as the Chief Executive Officer of Transnational Business (TNB) Sierra Leone Limited, a contracted sub-agent for financial remittance on behalf of Bloom Bank S.L. Limited, is accused of stealing funds from Bloom Bank on two separate occasions. Firstly, between November 2nd and 9th, he allegedly stole Eight Hundred and Eighty-One Thousand, One Hundred and Fifty-Three New Leones and Ninety-Five cents (Nle 881,153.95). Secondly, between November 2nd and 13th, he purportedly stole an additional One Million New Leones (Nle 1,000,000/00).
During the proceedings, Barrie refrained from entering a plea, and Assistant Superintendent of Police Ibrahim S. Mansaray requested a brief adjournment to confer with his witnesses.
In response, the defense counsel, represented by C. Campbell, applied for bail on behalf of Barrie, citing his Sierra Leonean residency and the availability of reliable sureties willing to vouch for him. Campbell emphasized Barrie’s commitment to not interfere with prosecution witnesses or absconding.
However, Magistrate Kekura, after deliberation, denied bail for Barrie, citing the gravity of the charges. The case was adjourned to Thursday, May 2, 2024, awaiting further legal proceedings.
The courtroom ambiance was tense as the proceedings shed light on the alleged financial misconduct, leaving the fate of Abdulai Barrie hanging in the balance.
