By Mohamed J Kargbo
Musa Joseph Sesay, the Human Resource Officer (HR) at Bloom Bank Sierra Leone Limited, and Joshua Gbanyah, a student at the College of Digital Excellence (CODE), appeared before Magistrate Shar Kekura of Pademba Road Court No. 1 on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, over allegations of embezzling NLe 619,000 from the bank.
The two accused are facing 42 charges, including conspiracy, larceny by servant, causing money to be paid by false pretenses, and forgery of documents all contrary to the laws of Sierra Leone.
According to the indictment, between January 2, 2023, and March 31, 2024, Sesay, in his capacity as HR Officer, allegedly misappropriated funds meant for electricity bill payments to EDSA.
Gbanyah is accused of orchestrating a fraudulent scheme in which he facilitated the payment of NLe 619,000 to Tamba Pessima, falsely presenting him as an EDSA agent to Bloom Bank.
Additionally, Gbanyah allegedly forged documents from CODE, including a statement of results bearing his name and ID number, which the police claim was falsified.
When the charges were read, no plea was taken from the accused.
Initially, both were charged with 24 counts, but during the last hearing, Prosecutor ASP Ibrahim Mansaray requested an adjournment to amend the charge sheet, which Magistrate Kekura granted.
The matter was adjourned to the 31st of March 2025, for further hearings.
