Sky Bank Customer Faces Court Over NLe 94,500 Fraud Allegation in Freetown

A Sky Bank Sierra Leone customer appeared in court yesterday, charged with allegedly stealing over NLe 94,500 through fraudulent bank-to-wallet transactions, in a significant case of bank fraud unfolding in the capital.

The accused, Ibrahim Barrie, made his second appearance before Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah at Freetown Magistrate Court No. 1.

He faces multiple charges, including conspiracy to defraud and larceny, in violation of Section 2 of the Larceny Act of 1916.

According to the charge sheet, Barrie is alleged to have conspired with unidentified individuals to commit theft between May 1 and May 31, 2025, at Sky Bank’s Cline Town branch.

The prosecution claims that on May 8, Barrie unlawfully withdrew NLe 94,500 via a bank-to-wallet transfer. Further accusations include additional bank-to-wallet transfers of NLe 15,000 on May 9 and another sum of NLe 70,000, all reportedly stolen from Sky Bank accounts.

During the proceedings, the prosecution called David King Forfanah, a marketing officer and relationship manager at Sky Bank, as a witness.

Forfanah testified that the fraud was uncovered after a suspicious cheque issued by Barrie could not be processed, prompting an internal review that revealed inconsistencies in Barrie’s identification documents.

Forfanah explained that he contacted Barrie, who claimed to be out of town but promised to return. After two months without contact, the bank launched a formal investigation.

Attempts to locate Barrie at his residence initially failed, but a neighbor later informed the bank of his return.

When confronted, Barrie reportedly denied owning a bank account and later claimed he had lost his ID card wallet in Wellington.

Bank officials subsequently reported the matter to the Apruschool Police Post. Barrie allegedly attempted to flee but was quickly apprehended, detained, and transferred to Ross Road Police Station before being moved to Central Police Station and formally charged.

The prosecution presented Barrie’s bank statement, which showed an initial deposit of NLe 100, followed by suspicious withdrawals of NLe 80 and NLe 15.

Following cross-examination by defense counsel M. Mansaray, Magistrate Jah granted the accused bail. The case has been adjourned to September 1, 2025, for further proceedings.