By Hawanatu Thoronka
Abdul Razack Mansaray, an unemployed man, appeared before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Pademba Road Court No. 2 on Monday, January 20, 2025, charged with one count of embezzlement contrary to Section 17(1)(b) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the police charge sheet, on September 22, 2024, at Babadorie, Lumley, in the Western Area of Sierra Leone, Mansaray embezzled Le77,426 entrusted to him by James Fornah and Momoh Kamara of Abjatal Star Enterprise.
When the charge was read to the accused, no plea was taken. He was represented in court by lawyer E.T. Lassay, while the prosecution was led by DSP Sorie Conteh.
Prosecution witness Mohamed Tarawally, who is employed by the same company as Mansaray, testified during the proceedings. He identified the accused as his senior and noted that Mansaray was responsible for Orange Money transactions within the company.
Tarawally recounted that on September 22, 2024, he discovered discrepancies while checking the company’s funds and when he attempted to verify the balances at another branch in Aberdeen, Mansaray allegedly discouraged him, stating there was no money there either.
The witness further revealed that the complainants initially hesitated to involve the police but eventually reported the matter after Mansaray’s partial repayment of Le20,000 fell short of expectations. The accused was subsequently apprehended by the police.
During cross-examination, Mansaray’s lawyer applied for bail, arguing that the accused was an ordinary resident within the court’s jurisdiction and had reliable sureties.
However, Magistrate Bangura denied the bail application due to the severity of the offense and ordered Mansaray to be remanded at the Male Correctional Center in Freetown.
The matter was adjourned to Wednesday, January 22, 2025, for further hearing.
