Three staff employed at Bloom Bank Africa: Kofi Adu Apenteng, Joseph Amadu Bangura, Almedette Olive and a Nurse Sento Momoh who were earlier dragged by the management of Bloom Bank Africa for stolen over 200m Leones from the bank.

On Tuesday 7 th May 2023, they appeared before magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba road Court No.2,  Freetown to stand their trial.

The accused persons are charged on three count charges to wit conspiracy to defraud and two count charges range  from causing money to be paid to another with intent to defraud that person.

According to the particulars of offence on a date between 15th to 18th December 2023, at Bloom Bank Africa, Kissy Road, Freetown, the accused were found with intent to defraud as they conspired together with other persons unknown to defraud Bloom Bank Africa Sierra Leone Limited (4,000 USD) which is equivalent to the sum of 94,000 Leones.

And on count two the accused persons on the 15th December 2023, at the said bank with intent to defraud unlawfully caused money to be paid to one Sento Momoh at Bloom Bank Africa Sierra Leone Limited with intent to wit the sum of 1,000 USD which is equivalent to the sum of 23,500 Leones as genuine withdrawals made from Bloom Bank on the account number 0034040309661 by the account holder, Enrico Walter, knowing same to be false.

On count three the accused person on the 18th December 2023 at the said bank with intent to defraud unlawfully caused money to be paid to Sento Momoh, by Bloom Bank Africa Sierra Leone Limited to wit the sum of 3,000 USD which is equivalent to 70,500 Leones as genuine withdrawal made from Bloom Bank Account number 0034040309661 by the account holder Enrico Walter knowing same to be false.

The charges were read and explained to the accused persons and they pleaded not guilty.

When the matter was called, the Prosecutor DSP Sorie Conteh told the court that the defense would like to say something.

Upon that the lead defense T.M Conteh told the court that they are in negotiation with the bank to see that what their clients are accused of was to comply with the bank to see that they pay the money.

Helping the lead defense, the other defense counsel M Bangura said they will start to pay half of the money to the bank now and will pay the balance on the next adjourned date.

The amount to be paid was not mentioned but it will be communicated to the court later.

Upon that Magistrate Bangura adjourned the matter to 14 May 2024.