By: Audrey Raymonda John
Musa Konosu, a former employee of Sky Bank Sierra Leone Limited, appeared once again before Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah of Pademba Road Magistrate Court No. 1 on charges of fraud and embezzlement involving over NLe153,000.
Testifying in court, Baimba Sesay, an Auditor at Sky Bank, said his responsibilities include executing audit plans and reporting cases of fraud. He confirmed that the accused, Musa Konosu, had worked as a teller for the bank at the Water Quay customs payment booth.
Sesay recalled that on Monday, January 27, 2025, the bank received a formal complaint from Wadi Aboud and Sons Ltd, stating that they had paid a customs duty at the Water Quay booth, but the transaction could not be traced in the National Revenue Authority (NRA) system.
Following the complaint, the bank conducted an internal investigation and immediately removed the accused from his post to facilitate the inquiry. Letters were sent to the National Revenue Authority on May 13 and June 10, 2025, requesting verification of the transaction records. However, the bank did not receive a response.
Both letters were also tendered in court to support the prosecution’s case.
Sesay testified that upon NRA’s request, the accused was presented for questioning at the NRA office, where he was later arrested and transferred to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). He also confirmed giving a written statement* to the police during the investigation.
During cross-examination, defense counsel Julius Cole pointed out a discrepancy in the complaint letter from Wadi Aboud and Sons, which referenced Rokel Bank instead of Sky Bank. However, Sesay responded that the payment receipt attached to the letter clearly bore the name of Sky Bank, not Rokel Bank. He admitted the two banks are separate institutions.
Musa Konosu faces two counts: Conspiracy to defraud, contrary to law, embezzlement, contrary to Section 17(1)(b) of the Larceny Act of 1916
According to the charge sheet, on January 27, 2025, at the NRA Customs Service Department at Queen Elizabeth II Quay, Cline Town, Freetown, the accused conspired with others to defraud Sky Bank of NLe153,552.58, funds paid by Simeon Kallen Wadi Aboud and Sons Limited.
He is also accused of fraudulently embezzling the same amount on behalf of the bank.
Konosu is currently on bail, and the matter was adjourned to July 31, 2025, for continuation.