By: Alimatu Kargbo
In Freetown magistrate court, six individuals have been brought before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of the Pademba Road Court No. 2 on charges of defrauding Orange Mobile Finance Limited of over nineteen million Leones through Access Bank’s mobile money transaction platform.
The accused, Yusif Turay, Ibrahim Thullah, Ishmael Nat Thomas, Hassan Gibrill Kargbo, Alhaji Santigie Sesay, and Sheriff Osman Sankoh, face three counts, including conspiracy to defraud and two counts of larceny by servant, in violation of Section 17(1)(a) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
Court documents reveal that between March 24 and 25, 2025, the accused allegedly conspired with unknown individuals to siphon Le19,878,360 from Orange Mobile’s Access Bank account (Account No. 0010160000326) using the Orange Money Wallet to bank transfer platform.
The fraudulent transactions reportedly took place across various locations in the Western Area, as well as in Rotifunk in Lungi, Kaffu Bullom Chiefdom, Port Loko District.
No pleas were entered during the initial appearance of the accused persons.
During the proceedings, Alhaji Tholey, head of Orange Mobile, continued his testimony, stating that after alerting Access Bank, an investigation was conducted, leading to the identification of Mr. Yusuf Sesay. He noted that the fifth accused was apprehended in Lungi. Tholey emphasized that the six accused, along with another agent, were involved in transferring the substantial sum from the Orange Money account to Access Bank.
He further stated that he provided a statement to the police at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) along with documentation detailing the amount withdrawn by Orange Mobile Finance. The matter has been adjourned for further testimony.
