Business staff sentenced for Le 41,700 theft

Business staff sentenced for Le 41,700 theft

Mohamed Chris Fofanah, a 30-year-old former staff member of Call to Business Savings and Loans, has been sentenced to three years' imprisonment following a conviction for theft totaling Le 41,700.

Fofanah appeared before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No. 2 on Monday, facing fifteen counts, including conspiracy to defraud and multiple counts of larceny.

Court records indicate that between September 1 and October 10, 2025, Mr. Fofanah conspired with unknown individuals to defraud Call to Business Savings and Loans at its Congo Water branch in Freetown's Western Area. The defendant was also charged with the larceny of Le 41,700 from various branches of the financial institution, including those located in Lumley, Central, East, Kambia, and Makeni.

Upon the charges being formally read, Mr. Fofanah entered a plea of guilty to all counts.

The prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police Dialla Wellington, confirmed to the court that the defendant has no prior criminal record, a factor that was acknowledged during the sentencing phase.

Counsel for the defendant, Bashiru Bangura, Esq., appealed to the magistrate for leniency, requesting that the court consider a sentence tempered with mercy. Counsel highlighted that Mr. Fofanah is a first-time offender who has not previously caused delays in court proceedings, and therefore requested that the court impose a minimal fine or an alternative non-custodial sentence.

Magistrate John Manso Fornah ultimately sentenced Mr. Fofanah to three years' imprisonment at the Male Correctional Facility in Freetown. The sentence was stated to reflect the court’s effort to balance the requirements of justice with the specific circumstances of the case, thereby underscoring the imperative of safeguarding public trust in financial institutions.

This conviction serves as a significant reminder of the ongoing commitment by law enforcement and judicial authorities to combat financial crimes and uphold integrity within Sierra Leone’s banking sector.