Ibrahim Idrissa Fornah, a sales agent, has been remanded to prison on allegations of fraud involving a significant sum of money.
Fornah made his first appearance before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown, facing two criminal charges: fraudulent conversion and money laundering.
According to the particulars of the offense, between March 1, 2024, and January 27, 2025, Fornah, while employed by Excel Biolife SL Limited, located at #20 Circular Road, Freetown, allegedly embezzled Le460,709 from his employer, Gautam Govind Rath. During this time, Fornah was acting as a sales agent responsible for distributing pharmaceutical drugs and receiving payments.
The second charge states that during the same time period, Fornah unlawfully converted the same amount of Le460,709, knowing it was derived from unlawful activity. He allegedly used these funds for the construction of houses.
When the charges were read and explained, Fornah did not enter a plea.
The prosecutor, Deputy Superintendent of Police Sorie Conteh, requested a brief adjournment to confer with witnesses.
The accused's counsel, H. Kamara Esq., applied for bail, asserting that Fornah is a Sierra Leonean resident with reliable sureties prepared to ensure his attendance in court. Kamara argued that Fornah would not interfere with prosecution witnesses or abscond.
This application was made under Section 79(2) of the Criminal Procedure Act No. 32 of 1965.
However, Magistrate Bangura denied the bail request, citing the serious nature of the charges, and ordered that Fornah be remanded at the male correctional facility in Freetown.
The case has been adjourned to March 11, 2025.
Comments