Bank Auditor Confirms Falsified in EDSA Embezzlement at Bloom Bank

An internal bank auditor has provided testimony confirming that falsified receipts and bypassed electricity meters were utilised by former Bloom Bank employees to facilitate a significant embezzlement of funds designated for EDSA bill payments.

The two former employees of Bloom Bank Africa, Musa Joseph Sesay, Human Resources Officer, and Joshua Gbanyah, Administrative Officer, appeared before Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah at the Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown on Monday, July 28, 2025. They face four charges: conspiracy, larceny by servant, causing money to be paid by false pretenses, and forgery of documents, in contravention of legal statutes.

According to the indictment, Sesay and Gbanyah, while employed by the bank between January 2, 2023, and March 31, 2024, allegedly misappropriated funds intended for electricity (EDSA) bill payments on multiple occasions. It is further alleged that they facilitated the unauthorised disbursement of six hundred nineteen thousand Leones (NLe 619,000) from the bank.

The police also contend that Gbanyah forged documents from the College of Digital Excellence, including statements of results bearing his name, purportedly issued and signed by the college’s Registrar—documents alleged to be fraudulent.

During cross-examination, defense counsel Charles Pujeh questioned Ernest Ohua, the bank’s Internal Chief Officer, who testified as a witness. Ohua stated that his responsibilities include providing independent assurance on the efficacy of bank management and serving as an internal auditor.

He explained that the bank provided monetary resources to the accused individuals for EDSA top-up payments, which they subsequently failed to remit. When queried whether the bank had supplied electricity meters after disbursing the funds, Ohua affirmed that meters had been provided but were bypassed by the accused. He also confirmed that receipts were issued for the credit reports associated with the meters.

Ohua clarified that payments for the meters pertained to the period from January 2023 to December 6, 2023, during which EDSA engaged with the bank regarding outstanding debts. He stated that both accused were responsible for making payments for the meters, which were documented via “expense vouchers.”

He further elucidated that during the incident, three administrative officers were present at the bank. Gbanyah, initially employed as a dispatch rider, was subsequently promoted to administrative officer, a transition supported by an official letter (exhibit B1-23) presented in court.

Regarding the allegations of forgery, Ohua stated that Gbanyah submitted counterfeit receipts for the meters, which the bank identified as fraudulent. He added that the bank was unaware of the origin of the falsified receipts.

The accused persons are currently out on bail. The matter has been adjourned to Monday, August 4, 2025, for further proceedings.