Patrick Adeyemi Egunnike, an employee of Guarantee Trust Bank, along with two other individuals, have been granted bail following their initial court appearance in connection with allegations of falsifying the account of Ibrahim Bazzy and Sons Limited.
The accused are presented before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at the Pademba Road Magistrate Court No. 2 in Freetown, facing six counts of conspiracy to defraud, falsification of accounts, forgery, uttering a forged document, failure to maintain transaction records, and fraudulent conversion of property. No plea has been entered as the Court is currently conducting a preliminary investigation.
According to the police report, between July 1, 2015, and July 31, 2017, in Freetown, the accused allegedly conspired, along with unidentified individuals, to defraud Ibrahim Bazzy and Sons Limited.
The police further allege that on the same dates and at the same location, the corporation and the accused individuals falsified the account of Ibrahim Bazzy and Sons Limited with the intent to defraud.
Additionally, the accused are alleged to have forged the signature of Hussein Ibrahim Bazzy on a banking facility offer dated July 31, 2017, intending to represent that it was legitimately signed by Hussein Ibrahim Bazzy, while being aware of its falsity.
Furthermore, it is claimed that on the same date and location, the accused uttered a forged offer of banking facility dated July 31, 2017, with the intent to defraud.
The police assert that Guarantee Trust Bank failed to retain application and acceptance letters related to loans issued to Admiral Trading Limited and Ibrahim Bazzy and Sons Limited, thereby demonstrating intent to defraud.
On July 20, 2017, at Guarantee Trust Bank, located at #12 Wilberforce Street in Freetown, it is alleged that the accused fraudulently converted to their use a title deed for a property that had been entrusted to them for the benefit of Hussein Ibrahim Bazzy and Sons Limited, thus retaining it in safe custody.
State Prosecutor Yusuf Isaac Sesay informed the court that the first accused, being a corporation, should have provided a representative. He requested that the Court issue an order requiring Guarantee Trust Bank to appoint a representative to stand for the corporation during the proceedings.
He urged the Court to adhere to timelines, emphasizing that the appointment must be communicated to the corporation prior to the next scheduled hearing. Consequently, he requested an adjournment.
The lead counsel for the accused, Roland Wright, requested bail on behalf of the third accused person, citing that he holds a senior position at Access Bank, while the fourth accused person also occupies a senior role within Guarantee Trust Bank. Counsel Wright assured the Court that his clients would not abscond.
Magistrate Bangura granted bail to the third and fourth accused persons in the amount of two hundred thousand Leones each, with the stipulation that their sureties must reside in Freetown, be gainfully employed, and hold senior management positions.
The bail is subject to approval by the Master and Registrar of the High Court of Sierra Leone.
Additionally, Magistrate Bangura ordered that a representative from Guarantee Trust Bank must appear in court, with the necessary appointment to be documented in a written statement served on the prosecution before the next scheduled date. The case has been adjourned to November 13, 2024, for further proceedings.
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