Samuel Kallon 
Amidst ongoing financial fraud trial involving a bank employee Sylvanus Mustapha Bockarie Fatoroma who was arrested on January 22nd, 2025, by Detective Inspector A.S. Mansaray is now facing 28 serious charges linked to a large-scale financial fraud at Commerce and Mortgage Bank (CMB) in Freetown.
The accused faces 12 counts of forgery 13 counts of uttering forged documents, 1 count of conspiracy to defraud and1 count of larceny by a servant before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Pademba Road court No.1 in Freetown. On a date between August 2, 2022, and September 5, 2024, Fatoroma, along with unidentified accomplices, allegedly orchestrated a scheme to siphon 78,500 new leones (NLe) equivalent to 78,500,000 old leones, from account No. 0021111651016, belonging to Idrissa Bangura.
The prosecution claims he manipulated records to make it appear that Bangura had withdrawn the sum, while the transaction was entirely fraudulent.
During court proceedings, Detective Inspector A.S. Mansaray attached to the Economic and Financial Fraud Unit at CID headquarters, testified that the case was reported on January 9, 2025, and assigned for investigation. Statements were taken from the complainant, Mamadu Jah Kamara and other bank employees.
Fatoroma was interrogated in Krio, with his statements recorded in English.
According to the police, he admitted to the allegations and confirmed his statements by affixing his right-hand thumbprint. His statements were tendered as Exhibit P1-3 in court.
Under cross-examination, defense lawyer J. Ansumana questioned the investigation’s findings, including whether the account holder, Idrissa Bangura, had authorized the transactions. The prosecution argued that no legitimate letter of authority was found.
Fatoroma’s defense requested bail, arguing that he had been in detention for several months and was willing to cooperate. The court granted bail in the sum NLe2,500 with two sureties residing in Freetown and to provide national ID cards as guarantees.
The case has been adjourned to March 16th 2025 for further testimonies and evidence examination.
