By Mohamed J Kargbo
Habib Kargbo, Yusuf Daramy,Lamin Kamara and John Kanu made another appearance before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of the Pademba Road Court No.1 in Freetown, on two count charges to wit, conspiracy to defraud contrary to law and larceny by servant contrary to section 17 (1) (a) of the Larceny Act 1916.
It was alleged that on Tuesday, 2nd January, 2024, in Lunsar Town, Port Loko District, with intent to defraud, the accused persons conspired together with other persons unknown and defrauded Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB) Sierra Leone Limited the sum of two hundred and eighty million old Leones(280,000).
It was also alleged that on the above date at GTB, Lunsar branch, being staff employed by the bank, the accused persons stole the sum two hundred and eighty million old Leones(280,000) old notes.
When the charge was read and explained to the accused persons they pleaded not guilty to the allegations.
Counsel representing the accused persons, E. Conteh, applied for bail,stating that they are Sierra Leoneans resident within the jurisdiction that they have reliable sureties who were willing and ready to go into recognisance on their behalf.
He said they will not interfere with prosecution witness or witnesses nor will they jump bail.
He made his application pursuant to Section 79 (2) of the Criminal Procedure Act No.32 of 1965.
Magistrate Kekura granted the accused persons bail in the sum of five hundred thousand New Leones, with one surety each in like sum.
He ordered that the sureties should be resident within the jurisdiction sureties and that they should produce valid identity card depicting their addresses in Freetown.
He further ordered that the bail should be approved by the Deputy Assistant Registrar.
He adjourned the matter to the 13th February 2024, for further hearing. Assistant Superintendent of Police Ibrahim S Mansaray, prosecuted the matter.
