By: Audrey Raymonda John
The ongoing fraud case involving Dennis Frank Charlie, a 28-year-old basketballer, and Abubakarr Alpha Shaur, a 32-year-old banker, was heard again before Magistrate John Manso Fornah of Pademba Road Court No. 2 on Wednesday, 17th September 2025. The accused face three charges: Conspiracy to Defraud, contrary to law; Larceny, contrary to Section 2 of the Larceny Act 1916; and Causing Money to Be Paid by False Pretences, contrary to Section 32(2) of the Larceny Act 1916.
According to the particulars of the offence, the accused allegedly conspired to defraud Sky Bank Sierra Leone Limited on Monday, 16th June 2025, at the bank’s Waterloo Branch, in the Waterloo Judicial District in the Western Rural Area of Sierra Leone. The accused allegedly conspired with other unknown individuals to defraud the bank.
The second count charges Dennis Frank Charlie with stealing Le142,000 using a Sky Bank Sierra Leone Limited cheque (Cheque No. 00003179, Account No. 1070460240101015) belonging to the bank.
The third count charges Abubakarr Alpha Shaur with fraudulently causing the payment of Le142,000 to Vandy Boima by means of false pretences on the same date and at the same location.
When the charges were read and explained, both accused persons pleaded not guilty* to all charges.
The prosecution, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police Dallia Wellington, presented the first prosecution witness, Hashimatu Isha Sesay, the Relationship Manager at Sky Bank. Hashimatu testified that the accused confirmed the cheque issuance through a WhatsApp conversation, which was tendered as Exhibit A1-2. She recalled a meeting held in July 2025 at the bank to discuss customer complaints, during which it was discovered that Dennis Frank Charlie’s account was in the negative.
Hashimatu confirmed that Abubakarr Alpha Shaur authorized the payment of Le142,000, and stated that efforts to contact Charlie were unsuccessful. The branch manager then visited Charlie’s home, and his account details were submitted as Exhibit B1-5.
On 12th August 2025, Hashimatu was informed that Dennis Frank Charlie had been arrested at PZ and taken to the CID Headquarters, where a statement was made. This statement was tendered as Exhibit C1-12.
A.S. Dumbuya, the defense counsel for the second accused, Abubakarr Alpha Shaur, applied for bail on his behalf, citing that Shaur is still employed at the bank and has reliable sureties to stand in his recognition.
Bail for the second accused was continued, and the matter was adjourned to 24th September 2025 for further proceedings.