By: Audrey Raymonda John
Three employees appeared again before Magistrate Mary Julian Gbloh of Pademba Road Court No. 5 in Freetown, facing two counts of Conspiracy to Defraud and Embezzlement, contrary to Section 17(1)(b) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
The accused are: Sheku Jimmy, 40, a Supervisor Language Officer,
Hassan Kamara, 38, a Cashier, Mohamed Kamara, 41, also a Cashier.
According to court documents, between February 12 and April 1, 2025, at the Lungi International Airport Terminal, located in the Kaffu Bullom Chiefdom, Port Loko Judicial District, North-West Region, the accused together with others unknown allegedly conspired with intent to defraud.
The second count alleges that during the same period and location, the accused fraudulently embezzled 63 Sea Coach Express tickets, each valued at $45, amounting to a total of 73,710 Leones, which they allegedly received without authorization from Sea Coach Express management.
When the charges were read and explained in court, no pleas were taken by the accused.
Sergeant 5598 Santigie Koroma, who is leading the prosecution, presented the second prosecution witness, Micah Tanimu, a technician and operations manager at Sea Coach Express.
Tanimu testified that an audio recording had been made by the first accused, Sheku Jimmy, during a conversation with an individual identified as Mr. Bangura, an IT expert with the Judiciary. The recording was saved on a memory stick, which was produced, tendered, and played in court.
In the recording, the first accused is heard communicating with Mr. Bangura, asking him to “send something,” though the exact item was not disclosed. When asked where he was, the first accused replied he was “in the office” and later instructed Mr. Bangura not to send anything again.
Following the presentation of the audio clip, Magistrate Gbloh adjourned the matter to July 15, 2025, for the original source of the audio recording to be formally tendered. The court will then determine its authenticity and admissibility as evidence.