By: Audrey Raymonda John
Tamba Mani, a 30-year-old banker, made his first appearance before Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah at Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown on four counts, including:
Conspiracy to defraud, contrary to law; Larceny by servant, contrary to Section 17(1)(a) of the Larceny Act of 1916; Fraudulent embezzlement, contrary to Section 17(1)(b) of the Larceny Act of 1916; and money laundering, contrary to Section 25(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism and Financing the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction Act, 2024 (Act No. 4 of 2024).
According to the particulars of the offence, on Thursday, 14 August 2025, at Sky Bank, Makeni Branch, Bombali Shebora Chiefdom, Sierra Leone, the defendant allegedly conspired with others unknown to defraud Sky Bank Sierra Leone Limited.
Count two stated that, on the same date and at the same place, as Branch Service Manager (BSM), he allegedly stole the sum of Le 2,385,000 from the bank.
Count three alleged that he fraudulently embezzled the same amount, while count four claimed he illicitly converted the sum of Le 2,385,000 from Sky Bank Sierra Leone Limited.
When the charges were read and explained, no plea was taken.
The defendant’s counsel, W. Gaber, renewed a previous bail application on his behalf.
Magistrate Jah granted bail in the sum of Le 2,500,000, with two sureties of the same amount. The sureties must be Sierra Leonean residents within the jurisdiction; be gainfully employed or show proof of a reputable business; and be at least 40 years old.
Bail is to be approved by the Deputy Assistant Registrar. The matter was adjourned to 16 February 2026.