Philip Vanjah who is a businessman on Monday, 4th October, 2024, was arraigned before magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court No 2 and was standing on a count charge of embezzlement, contrary to section 17 (1) b of the larceny Act 1916.

According to the particulars of offence, on a date unknown between January and April, 2024 at No. 17 Saika Stevens Freetown, in Western area of Sierra Leone, the accused fraudulently embezzled the total sum of one million, two hundred and five thousand, two hundred and seventy five Leones (Le 1,205,275). He received that from an account at Fundex Foreign Exchange Bureau Sierra Leone Limited.

When the charge was read and explained to the accused person no plea taken. Assistant Superintendent of police Juan M.S Bull led in as Prosecution witness number one.

And Leo Sahid Koroma who is a business man confirmed that he recognized the accused person as his Manager for Fundex Foreign Exchange Sierra Leone Limited for the Western regoin. Sahid noted he had established business unit a capital of (le 239,000,00) and deposited (le 1,000, 000, 000, 00).

Leo recalled sometimes in March that he requested for a meeting with the accused on three occasions, but he never had shown up.

He went on to say that the accused person had deleted all their conservations via on email and WhatsApp.

The witness further testified that he later realized that the monies were withdrawn from Bloom Bank Africa Limited without his approval.

Sahid Koroma confirmed that he opened an account and recognized the said account which was tendered as exhibit one and four.

He also confirmed the memorandum of understanding which was produced as evidence and tendered as one exhibit to nineteenth. Letter of appointment as business manager was also recognized.

Sahid noted that the two accounts were produced for identification and also the terms and conditions for the foreign acount was produced and tendered to form part of the court records.

The complainant said his laptop and phone were tendered in court to form part of the court records.

The Defence Council A Freeman applied for bail on behalf of the accused person, saying he is a Sierra Leonean and would not interfere with the prosecution witness.

He added he is not a flight risk and has reliable sureties to be arraigned themselves whenever called upon. Freeman further said that he is a family man and pleaded for cross examination based on the evidence tendered as it was apparent that the charges before the magistrate were serious. He made his application pursuant to section 79 2 of the Criminal procedure Act No.32 of 1965.

Magistrate Bangura refused bail based on the seriousness of the  offence and the accused was charged.

Meanwhile, the case was adjourned to the 7th of November, 2024, for further hearings.