By Alimatu Kargbo
A courtroom revelation has thrown the prosecution’s case against two bankers into doubt, after a key witness admitted he was initially arrested as a suspect and claims he was merely “following orders” when he signed off on missing millions.
Hassan Fornah (35) and Mohamed Tharm (36) stand accused of conspiring to defraud telecom giant Q-Cell of Le 2,155,898.00 at Zenith Bank’s Bo Branch between January 20 and March 17, 2025. The cash handed over by Q-Cell staff for deposit, allegedly vanished before reaching company account 6010306485.
The pair face three consolidated charges under the Larceny Act of 1916: conspiracy to defraud, fraudulent conversion, and fraudulent embezzlement.
But under fierce cross-examination by defence counsel M.B. Koroma, prosecution witness Morlia Bangura a Zenith Bank teller, dropped a bombshell.
Bangura revealed police initially invited him as a suspect, not a witness. When asked if he knew the exact offences the accused face, he bluntly replied: “No.”
Pressed about signing the crucial financial document, Bangura testified: “It was an order from the financial signatory.” He insisted he has no involvement with the box cash system and told the court he simply answered to his boss, who handed him the documents including Q-Cell’s deposit slips.
He was asked if his employment contract differed from the accused, Bangura answered: “No.”
The teller admitted the bank never conducted an internal investigation into the missing funds, only police pursued him over the cash. When defence suggested he could yet be charged alongside the accused, Bangura responded: “No.”
Following the damaging testimony, second defendant counsel F.A. Kamara launched a bail application, describing both men as “family men of potential personality” who would attend all court proceedings if released.
Magistrate Fornah refused Bail for both defendant and remanded the accused until the next adjournment date Tuesday, March 10, 2026.
