A banker at EcoBank, Idrissa Abdulai Kamara and a businessman Saidu Sow were on Tuesday granted bail in the sum of Le500 million each after they were charged with defrauding the sum of Le585 million at EcoBank.
Both accused persons are before the Magistrate Court No 1 presided by Magistrate Sahr Kekura on 12 counts of Conspiracy to defraud and forgery contrary to law.
It was alleged on the charge sheet that on a date unknown between Friday, January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021 at the Ecobank Micro Finance office at Flower Corner Street, Makeni with intent to defraud, both accused conspired with other persons unknown to defraud B.S.B International the sum of Le585 million.
On count two, it is alleged that from September, October, and November 2021 at the said office, with intent to defraud, forged Ecobank Funds transfer form dated September, October and November 2021 purporting that it was originated from Ecobank Sierra Leone Limited.
On count twelve, the first accused person on a date unknown between Friday, January 1, and Friday, December 31, 2021 at Rogbanneh Road Makeni in the Bombali Shebora Judicial District, fraudulently converted to his own use or benefit the sum of Le585,000,000 entrusted to him by Mariam Jalloh for the purpose of safe delivery into B.S.B international account maintain at Ecobank Sierra Leone limited.
The charges were read and explained to the accused persons put no plea was taken because the matter is being preliminarily Investigated.
Counsel representing the accused persons H. Kamara applied for bail for the accused persons. He said his clients are Sierra Leoneans, resident within the jurisdiction of the court, and that they have reliable sureties who are willing and ready to enter into recognisance on their behalf.
Defence counsel further submitted that the accused persons are not flight risk nor will they jump bail.
He made his application citing section 79 (2) of the Criminal Procedure Act No.32 of 1965.
Having heard the application, Magistrate Sahr Kekura granted bail to each accused persons in sum of five hundred million leones with surety in like sum.
He said the sureties must be gainfully employed from a reputable institution. Magistrate Sahr Kekura also stated that the sureties should provide their employment letters, including identity card of their respective institutions. He also ordered that the sureties must be permanently resident in Freetown. He bail is to be verify by the Bench and approved by the Deputy Acting Registrar. He adjourned the matter to June 2, 2022.
By Fatima Kpaka