By: Audrey Raymonda John
Six individuals, Yusif Turay (businessman), Ibrahim Thullah (agent), Ishmael Nat Thomas (businessman), Hassan Gibrill Kargbo (businessman), Alhaji Sabtigie Sesay (businessman), and Sheriff Osman Sankoh (student) made their final appearance before Magistrate John Manso Fornah of the Pademba Road Court No. 2 on Wednesday, 10th December 2025. They face three counts, including Conspiracy to Defraud and Larceny by Servant, contrary to Section 17(1)(a) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the particulars of offence, between Monday 24th March 2025 and Tuesday 25th March 2025, at various Access Bank branches in Freetown, Western Area, the accused persons, with intent to defraud, allegedly conspired with others unknown to defraud Orange Mobile Finance Limited of NLe 19,878,360.
Count Two states that on the same dates and locations, the accused acting as Orange Money agents and using the Orange Money wallet-to-bank transaction platform allegedly stole NLe 19,878,360 from Account No. 0010160000326, operated for Orange Money wallet collections and belonging to Orange Mobile Finance Limited.
Count Three similarly alleges that the six accused stole the same amount, using the same transaction platform and account belonging to Orange Mobile Finance Limited.
When the charges were read and explained, no plea was taken due to the nature of the offences.
State Prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police Dialla Wellington, informed the court that the matter was for his reply to the defence’s no-case submission. Defence counsel, S. L. Lewis Esq., confirmed that he had already filed the submission.
Magistrate Fornah, after reviewing both the defence’s no-case submission and the prosecution’s response, ruled that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence linking the accused to the offences charged, warranting committal to the High Court for trial.
He therefore dismissed the defence’s no-case submission and ordered that all six accused persons be committed to stand trial in the High Court. He further ruled that the existing bail conditions remain unchanged pursuant to Section 116(1) of the Criminal Procedure Act of 2024.