Businessman Remanded for 54 Counts of Theft and Forgery at Vista Bank

Businessman Remanded for 54 Counts of Theft and Forgery at Vista Bank

Ibrahim Boima, a 30-year-old businessman, has been remanded in custody following an appearance before Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah at Pademba Road Court No.1 in Freetown. He faces a substantial 54-count indictment involving charges of theft and forgery related to an account held at Vista Bank.

Mr. Boima is accused of systematically misappropriating over Leones 396,000 from the Greater Evangelism World Crusade bank account. The charges comprise 48 counts of larceny, three counts of forgery, and three counts of uttering forged documents. The alleged criminal activity reportedly occurred between January 2023 and July 2025, encompassing multiple transactions that collectively amount to a significant sum.

The indictment specifies a series of alleged thefts, beginning with Leones 3,500 stolen from the Crusade’s account on January 3, 2023, at Vista Bank’s Charlotte Street headquarters. Further alleged thefts include Leones 9,050 on February 4, 2023; Leones 71,000 between March and April 2023; Leones 180,300 from June to August 2023; and Leones 131,630 from August to October 2023.

In addition to the larceny counts, Mr. Boima is charged with forging a letter intended to change the authorized signatories for the bank account, allegedly bearing the false signature of the church secretary. He is further accused of presenting this and another forged document—a fake meeting minute—to the bank with the intent to defraud.

Mr. Boima was not required to enter a plea when the charges were formally read. His defense counsel, J. Kamara Esq., submitted a request for bail, arguing that Mr. Boima is a resident of Sierra Leone, has reliable sureties, and poses no flight risk.

However, Magistrate Jah denied the bail application, citing the severity of the offenses and the high number of charges. Mr. Boima was subsequently remanded to the male correctional facility in Freetown. The matter has been adjourned until February 16, 2026.