By Fatima Kpaka
Ibrahim Idrissa Fornah, a sales agent, was remanded on Monday, March 3, 2025, by Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court No.2 for allegedly stealing over Le460,709 from Excell Biolife SL Ltd.
Fornah made his first appearance and faced two charges: embezzlement under Section 17 (1) (a) of the Larceny Act 1916, and money laundering under Section 25 (1) (a) of the Anti-money Laundering and Combating Financing Terrorism and Financing the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction Act 2024, Act No.4 of 2024.
According to the charges, between March 1, 2024, and January 27, 2025, at #20 Circular Road in Freetown, Fornah, while employed as a sales agent at Excell Biolife SL Ltd., allegedly embezzled Le460,709 belonging to his employer, Gautam Govind Rath.
The police also claimed that Fornah used the embezzled funds to build houses, knowing the money was derived from unlawful activities.
When the charges were read to Fornah, no plea was taken. Prosecutor Deputy Superintendent of Police Sorie Conteh requested an adjournment to consult with witnesses.
Counsel representing the accused, H. Kamara Esq., applied for bail, stating that Fornah is a Sierra Leonean resident with reliable sureties willing to vouch for him. Kamara assured that Fornah would not interfere with witnesses or flee. However, Magistrate Bangura denied the bail request due to the seriousness of the charges and remanded Fornah to the male correctional facility.
The matter has been adjourned to March 11, 2025.