The money in question is 19,787, 360 which was being frauded by certain individuals at Acess Bank Sierra Leone.

Yusif Turay, a business man, Ibrahim Thullah an agent, Ishmael Nat Thomas, a business man; Hassan Gibrill Kargbo, a business man; Alhaji Santigie Sesay, a business man and Sheriff Osman Sankoh, have made their first appearances before Magistrate John Manso Fornah of Pademba Road Court N.2 on Tuesday, 10th June, 2025.

They stood up before the court on three count charges to conspiracy to defraud.

According to the particulars of offence, on between Monday 24th to 25th March 2025, at various Access Bank Sierra Leone Limited Branches, West of  Freetown, with intent to defraud, they conspired together with other persons unknown and defrauded Orange mobile finances the total sum of nineteen million, eight hundred and seventy eight thousand, three hundred and sixty Leones(19,878,360).

Count two stated that on the same date and place the accused persons alleged stole money and are agents operating orange mobile money, a platform which uses orange money wallet to bank transaction.

The total sum of money is nineteen million eight hundred and seventy eight thousand three hundred and sixty Leones(19,878,360) from bank account number 0010160000326 run by orange money wallet collection which is property of Orange Money mobile finance limited.

Count three further said that on the same date at Rotifunk Lungi the Kaffu bullom Chiefdom, in the PortLoko District the North West Region, in Freetown, they are agents operating Orange mobile money for Orange and are among the suspects who alleged stole the above listed money.

When the charges were read and explained to the accused persons no plea was taken.

The State Prosecutor Assistant Superintendent of Police Dialla Wellington led the prosecution team and witness number three David Solomon Musa, Head of Orange Money Operations at Freetown, who is responsible for product development and project management, said he recognized the 1st accused person in the matter.

David recalled on diverse  dates between 24th and 25th March, 2025, of something that happened on 25th March, 2025, saying he received a call from Alhaji Thorley, who is head of finance telling him that a payment was deposited in their account at Access Bank on the 24th March, 2025. But that morning no money could be found in the said account.

He revealed that when he arrived at their office he went to his colleague Alhaji Thorley to review the cheque and discovered that there was no money in the Access Bank account belonging to Orange money, noting that they decided to go to the bank headquarters before it opened at 8:30 and requested to see the account Manager and the head of IT at the  Bank.

David further said that he handed over a list of agent numbers who had withdrawn money from the bank account, adding that the list they handed over contained numbers of money withdrawn from the account on the 24th and 25th March, 2025.

He said those transactions were not authorized by Orange Money.

He said the IT manager informed him that a transaction was ongoing at the Access Bank branch at Congo Cross.

He went there and met the customer who was identified as the 1st accused, pointing out that he questioned the 1st accused as to why he was making such transaction.

He informed him that he had made prior transaction and he continued to do such.

He made statement to the police at CID Headquarters Economic Crime Division.

The Defense Counsel S.L. Lewis sought to defer the cross examination proceeding for another date.

The case has been adjourned to 24th of June, 2025 while bail still continues.