Bench Warrant for Absent Zenith Bank Le2 Million Fraud Defendants

A bench warrant has been issued for the immediate arrest of two former bank employees who failed to appear for a scheduled court session concerning a significant fraud case at Zenith Bank Sierra Leone Limited.

The defendants, identified as bankers Hassan Fornah, 35, and Mohamed Tharm, 36, face multiple serious charges, including conspiracy to defraud, fraudulent conversion, and embezzlement, relating to a sum in excess of two million Leones.

Magistrate John Manso Fornah of Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown ordered the arrest of the two men following their non-appearance at today’s proceedings.

Court disclosures allege that the accused misappropriated the sum of Le 2,155,898 (approximately USD 250) between January 20 and March 17, 2025. The alleged financial misconduct occurred at Zenith Bank's Bo Branch in the Kakua Chiefdom, Southern Province.

According to court documents, the defendants are accused of conspiring with unnamed individuals to defraud Zenith Bank Sierra Leone Limited by diverting funds intended for deposit into the Q-Cell (SL) Limited account. The charges further specify that the accused fraudulently converted and embezzled the exact amount for personal enrichment.

The particulars of the offence allege that the defendants intentionally stole the funds entrusted to them by Q-Cell (SL) Limited staff for deposit into the specified bank account on various dates. These counts assert that the defendants deliberately converted and embezzled the money, constituting a clear breach of their fiduciary duties.

Upon the matter being called, both Hassan Fornah and Mohamed Tharm were absent. Prosecutor Assistant Superintendent of Police Dialla Wellington consequently moved the court to issue a bench warrant for their arrest and to order the surrender of the sureties provided for their bail.

Magistrate Fornah reviewed and granted the prosecution’s application, issuing the warrant for the arrest of the accused persons.

The case has been adjourned for continuation to February 20, 2026.

This case highlights ongoing regulatory concerns regarding financial misconduct within Sierra Leone’s banking sector, with the alleged theft of over Le2 million being described by authorities as a serious breach of public trust and established banking protocols.