Shocking Theft and Fraud Scandal: Le73,710 By Sea Coach Staff

Three staff members of Sea Coach in Freetown appeared before Magistrate Mary Julian Gbloh at Pademba Road Court No. 5 to face charges of theft and embezzlement.

The individuals charged are Sheku Jimmy, 40, a supervisor and language officer; Hassan Kamara, 38, a cashier; and Mohamed Kamara, 41, also a cashier. They are accused of conspiracy to defraud and embezzlement in violation of Section 17(1)(b) of the Larceny Act 1916.

The charges specify that between February 12 and April 1, 2025, near Lungi International Airport in Kaffu Bullom Chiefdom, Port Loko District, North West Region, the accused conspired with unknown individuals with the intent to defraud.

The second charge alleges that on the same date and location, the accused embezzled sixty-three Sea Coach tickets, each valued at $45, totaling approximately 73,710 Leones, without authorization from Sea Coach Express management.

The accused did not enter a plea when the charges were read.

Sergeant 5598 Santigie Koroma led the prosecution, calling Micah Tanimu, a technician and operations manager at Sea Coach, who identified the accused as employees of Sea Coach’s airport branch. Tanimu testified that on March 26, 2025, while on duty at the head office on Sir Samuel Lewis Road, Aberdeen, he received a report from Abdul Sankoh, an IT officer, regarding a ticket-related incident, prompting further investigation the following day.

On March 27, 2025, Tanimu and Sankoh examined the system and discovered that ten of the questioned tickets had been used and were issued by Mohamed Kamara, the third accused. Their investigation revealed that these tickets were in the possession of the third accused on his phone.

When questioned about the tickets' origin, Mohamed initially stated they were sent by the first accused, Sheku Jimmy. However, Sheku later admitted that the tickets were provided by the second accused, Hassan Kamara.

Further investigation confirmed that Hassan Kamara had sent the tickets to Mohamed Kamara, having received them from Sheku Jimmy, who claimed to have obtained them from a customer named Mr. Bangura. The accused also revealed they sold a set of tickets for $450, with payment made via Orange Money and transferred to Mr. Bangura.

Investigators photographed the transaction receipts, which were subsequently verified at the business center. The prosecution requested a brief adjournment to print and present these photographs as evidence in court.

Magistrate Gbloh adjourned the case to July 1, 2025, for further proceedings and consideration of bail for all accused individuals.