Former Sky Bank Employee Implicated in NLe 150,000 Customs Fraud

Court testimony has implicated Musa Konosu, a former employee of Sky Bank, in an alleged customs fraud exceeding NLe 150,000 at Water Quay, thereby shedding light on his purported involvement in the illicit scheme.

The accused appeared before Magistrate Mustapha Briama Jah at Pademba Road Court No. 1 to address charges pertaining to the alleged theft. The allegations originate from a payment processed at the bank’s National Revenue Authority (NRA) Customs Service Department situated at Water Quay.

During court proceedings, Baimba Sesay, an auditor for Sky Bank, provided testimony indicating that his responsibilities encompass conducting bank audits and reporting instances of fraud. He identified Konosu as a former teller at the Water Quay branch. Sesay recounted that on January 27, 2025, the bank received a complaint from Wadi Aboud and Sons, asserting that customs duties had been paid to the accused at Water Quay, yet the corresponding payment receipt was absent from the NRA system.

The bank promptly initiated an internal investigation, leading to Konosu's suspension and subsequent outreach to the NRA for verification. Despite dispatching two formal requests—on May 13 and June 10, 2025—the NRA did not provide a response, as reported in court. Subsequently, the NRA requested to interview Konosu, who was then taken into custody and questioned at their offices before being transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Sesay further stated that he provided statements to the police during the investigative process. Under cross-examination by defense counsel J. Cole, the witness acknowledged inconsistencies in the presented documents, noting that a letter from Wadi Aboud bore the name of Rokel Bank, while the payment receipt was stamped with Sky Bank’s name, thereby highlighting potential irregularities.

Konosu faces two charges: conspiracy to defraud and embezzlement, both falling under the Larceny Act of 1916. The prosecution alleges that on the specified date, Konosu conspired with accomplices to unlawfully obtain NLe 153,552.58 from Sky Bank through fraudulent means related to customs payment procedures at the Water Quay office.

He is currently released on bail, and the case is scheduled to resume on July 31, 2025.