By Fatima Kpaka
Ibrahim Idrissa Fornah, a sales agent at Excel BioLife Limited, appeared before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Pademba Road Court No.2 on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, for a fraud case involving over NLe 460,000.
Fornah is facing two charges: fraudulent embezzlement under Section 17(1)(a) of the Larceny Act of 1916, and money laundering under Section 25(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating of Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction Act No. 4 of 2024.
State prosecutors allege that between March 1, 2024, and January 27, 2025, while serving as a sales agent responsible for distributing pharmaceutical drugs and receiving payments, Fornah fraudulently embezzled NLe 460,709 belonging to his employer, Gautam Govind Rath. The prosecution further claims that Fornah used the stolen funds to construct personal houses, knowing this was an illegal act.
During the court session, defense counsel Hindolo Gevao requested an adjournment to prepare a “no-case submission” on behalf of the accused. He indicated that the submission was nearly complete and would be presented at the next hearing. State Counsel Yusuf Isaac Sesay did not oppose the request for adjournment.
Fornah, who is currently on bail, will return to court on April 23, 2025, when the defense is expected to present its submission.