By Fatima Kpaka
Sylvanus Mustapha Bockarie Fatoroma, a staff member of Commerce and Mortgage Bank (CMB), who was arrested on January 22, 2025, in connection with a large-scale financial fraud case, was granted bail yesterday by Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Pademba Road Court No. 1.
Fatoroma faces 28 charges, including:
- 12 counts of forgery,
- 13 counts of uttering forged documents,
- 1 count of conspiracy to defraud, and
- 1 count of larceny by a servant.
Between August 2, 2022, and September 5, 2024, Fatoroma, along with unidentified accomplices, allegedly orchestrated a scheme to siphon 78,500 New Leones (NLe), equivalent to 78,500,000 old Leones, from account 0021111651016 belonging to Idrissa Bangura. The prosecution claims he manipulated records to make it appear that Bangura had withdrawn the funds, although the transaction was fraudulent.
Detective Inspector A.S. Mansaray from the Economic and Financial Fraud Unit at CID Headquarters testified that the case was reported on January 9, 2025, and was assigned to him for further investigation. Statements were taken from the complainant, Mamadu Jah Kamara, and other bank employees. The accused was interrogated in Krio, with his statements recorded in English.
According to the police, Fatoroma admitted to the allegations and confirmed his statements by affixing his right-hand thumbprint. The statements were presented as Exhibit P1-3 in court.
During cross-examination, defense lawyer J. Ansumana questioned the investigation’s findings, including whether the account holder, Idrissa Bangura, had authorized the transactions. The prosecution argued that no legitimate letter of authority was found.
After the cross-examination, the defense applied for bail, citing that Fatoroma had been in detention for several months. Bail was granted to the accused in the sum of 2,500 NLe with two sureties, who must be residents of Freetown and possess valid national ID cards.
The case was adjourned to March 16, 2025.