Man Committed To High Court Over Alleged Le146,421 Embezzlement

Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah of Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown has committed Ernest Kpogbo Simbo to the High Court of Sierra Leone to face trial on a charge of embezzlement.

Simbo was arraigned on a single count of embezzlement contrary to Section 17(1)(b) of the Larceny Act, 1916.

The indictment alleges that between 18 March and 17 May 2026, at William and Son’s Enterprises, First Bridge, Gloucester, Freetown, Simbo fraudulently embezzled Le146,421, which represented proceeds from the sale of building materials belonging to the complainant, William Tennyson Saffa.

When the charge was read and explained to him, Simbo did not enter a plea.

The prosecution presented its case through Detective Sergeant Alhaji Samson Tholly of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, who testified that he recognized both the complainant and the accused.

According to the detective, the matter was reported to the police on 22 May 2026 after the complainant alleged that funds from the sale of building materials had been unlawfully misappropriated, leading to an investigation.

Detective Sergeant Tholly told the court that the complainant’s statement was obtained, alongside several business documents, which were kept in police custody and tendered as exhibits.

He further informed the court that investigators collected the accused’s personal information, business ledgers detailing transactions, and delivery receipts for supplied goods as part of the evidence presented.

The detective also testified that he, together with Detective Police Sergeant Samai J.M., visited the business premises where they observed building materials and obtained statements from witnesses.

The court heard that Simbo was arrested on 17 June 2026, cautioned, and questioned in Krio by DPS Samai J.M. He allegedly admitted the allegations and affixed his right thumbprint to his statement, which was later presented as evidence.

Following his arrest, police executed a search warrant at his residence on 18 June 2026, where books and other items were recovered and tendered as exhibits.

A subsequent face-to-face meeting between Simbo and the complainant also resulted in an additional statement being obtained from the accused under the required legal procedures.

On 30 June 2026, police obtained a charge statement from Simbo, which was also presented before the court as part of the prosecution’s evidence.

After reviewing the evidence and exhibits presented,

Magistrate Jah ruled that the prosecution had established sufficient grounds linking Simbo to the alleged offence.

The Magistrate subsequently committed Ernest Kpogbo Simbo to the High Court of Sierra Leone, where he is expected to face trial on the charge of embezzlement.