By Mohamed J. Kargbo
On February 15, 2024, Magistrate Sahr Kekura granted bail to Frances Lawson, the Branch Manager at LAPO Micro Finance in Kenema. The accused was granted bail in the sum of two hundred and fifty million Leones, with two sureties who must hold the new identity card.
Frances Lawson is facing charges on four counts, including conspiracy to defraud, embezzlement, forgery of a document, and uttering a forged document. The particulars of the charges alleged that between April 1 and August 31, 2023, in Makeni, Bombali District, Frances Lawson conspired with unknown persons to defraud LAPO Micro Finance Sierra Leone Limited of the sum of one hundred and four thousand, four hundred and sixteen Leones (Nle104,416.00).
In the second count, the accused is charged with fraudulently embezzling the sum of one hundred and four thousand four hundred and sixteen Leones (Nle104,416.00) received on behalf of Alpha Amadu Jalloh.
The third count alleges that Frances Lawson, with intent to defraud, forged a document, specifically a LAPO Micro Finance Sierra Leone Limited Loan Application Form dated December 1, 2021, purporting it to be prepared and signed by Aminata Jalloh.
The fourth count asserts that the accused, with the intent to defraud, uttered the forged document mentioned in count three.
The prosecution is led by ASP Ibrahim Mansaray. The matter was adjourned to February 26, 2024, for further hearings.
