Key Testimony in Alleged Le19 Million Fraud Case Involving Access Bank Sierra Leone

In a recent development regarding the alleged misappropriation of over Le19 million from Access Bank Sierra Leone, the head of Orange Money Sierra Leone provided pivotal testimony. David Solomon Musa, the Head of Orange Money Operations at Orange Mobile Finance Limited, testified before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No. 2 to identify the primary suspect and explained the alleged criminal methodology.

Six individuals face charges of conspiracy to defraud and larceny: businesspeople Yusif Turay, Ishmael Nat Thomas, Hassan Gibrill Kargbo, Alhaji Santigie Sesay, Sheriff Osman Sankoh, and agent Ibrahim Thullah. All defendants were present but did not enter a plea.

The alleged offenses occurred between March 24 and 25, 2025, across various Access Bank branches in Freetown. The accused are alleged to have unlawfully withdrawn a total of Le19,878,360 from an Orange Money account managed by Orange Mobile Finance Limited.

Mr. Musa stated that on March 25, he received notification from Alhaji Thorley, Orange Money’s Head of Finance, regarding a deposit to their Access Bank account on the preceding day. Subsequent verification by Mr. Musa and his team revealed the funds had not been credited.

He recounted their visit to the bank’s headquarters, where a review of account activity revealed unauthorized withdrawals linked to the accused, including transactions at the Congo Cross branch. Mr. Musa confirmed the presence of the primary accused during some of these transactions, who reportedly admitted to prior withdrawals.

Furthermore, Mr. Musa provided the bank’s account manager and IT department with a list of agent numbers associated with the suspicious transactions for verification. The accused’s explanation, that he had previously conducted and was continuing to conduct transactions, raised suspicions among investigators.

The court has adjourned the case to June 24, 2025. Bail arrangements are in progress, and cross-examination was deferred at the defense's request. The trial continues as authorities seek justice in what is considered a significant financial crime with substantial implications for Sierra Leone’s banking sector.