By: Audrey Raymonda John
Six individuals Yusif Turay, Ibrahim Thullah, Ishmael Nat Thomas, Hassan Gibrill Kargbo, Alhaji Santigie Sesay, and Sheriff Osman Sankoh made their first appearance before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown on allegations of conspiracy and larceny involving Le19,878,360.
The accused are charged on three counts, including conspiracy to defraud, and two counts of larceny by servant, contrary to Section 17 (1)(a) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the particulars of the offence, on an unknown date between Monday, 24th and Tuesday, 25th March 2025, at various Access Bank Sierra Leone Limited branches in the Western Area of Freetown, the accused allegedly conspired with unknown persons to defraud Orange Mobile Finance Limited of a total sum of Le19,878,360.
The second count alleges that the accused, operating as Orange Mobile Money agents, used the Orange Money wallet-to-bank transaction platform to illegally withdraw the said amount from Account No. 0010160000326*, which is operated by the Orange Money Wallet Collection and belongs to Orange Mobile Finance Limited.
The third count reveals that on the same date, at Rotifunk, Lungi, in the Kaffu Bullom Chiefdom, Port Loko District (North-West Region), the accused committed the same offence using the same method and targeting the same account.
When the charges were read and explained, no pleas were taken from the accused. Defense counsel renewed and adopted a previous bail application on their behalf.
Magistrate Santigie Bangura subsequently granted bail to each accused person in the sum of Le150,000, with two sureties in like sum. The sureties must be responsible citizens residing in Freetown, with at least one gainfully employed. Bail is to be approved by the Deputy Assistant Registrar.
The matter was adjourned to April 29, 2025, for further proceedings.