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WAOMC Senior Accountant Charged with Forging Bank Slips Over Le400,000

Writer's picture: Sarah KallaySarah Kallay

A senior accountant employed by West Africa Operations and Management Company (WAOMC), 39-year-old Lamin Tarawally, was brought before Freetown's Pademba Road Court yesterday, accused of a scheme to defraud his employers through forged bank slips and embezzlement.



Tarawally appeared before Magistrate Sahr Kekura at Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown to respond to six charges, including conspiracy to defraud, altering and forging documents and larceny by servant.


The charges stem from allegations that between November 1 and November 4, 2024, Tarawallay conspired with unidentified individuals to defraud the West Africa Operations and Management Company (WAOMC) at the Hastings Toll Gate in Freetown.



Specifically, the accused is alleged to have forged two bank documents: a Standard Chartered Bank Cash Deposit Slip dated November 2, 2024, for the sum of Le 142,789, falsely attributed to the signature of Ibrahim K. Gbundema (Junior Accountant), and another slip dated November 4, 2024, for Le 283,100, purportedly signed by Alhaji S. Mansaray (Junior Accountant) of WAOMC.


Additionally, the sixth count alleges that Tarawallay unlawfully stole Le 364,404, the property of WAOMC.


Upon hearing the charges, the accused did not enter a plea.



Police prosecutor Assistant Superintendent Ibrahim Mansaray introduced Alhaji Sheku Mansaray as a key witness. Mansaray, a junior accountant at WAOMC, explained his duties, which included receiving cash from toll gate collectors, reconciling that amount with the software, and preparing a document known as a Demand Note.


Mansaray detailed the process, stating that after ensuring the cash matched the system records using a Bill Note Counting Machine and calculator, both he and the collector would sign the Demand Note.



This document would then accompany the cash to the finance department of the Hastings toll gate.


Testifying further, Mansaray indicated that he entrusted both the cash and the bank slip to Tarawallay for deposit at the bank. He highlighted that the funds were meant for the company.


Mansaray recounted his duties during his shift on November 1 and 24, 2024, confirming that he completed the necessary reconciliations and properly documented the transactions.



At this point in the proceedings, the prosecution requested an adjournment to present the Demand Note as evidence.


In response to the charges, the defense counsel made a motion for bail for Tarawallay. However, Magistrate Kekura denied the bail application, citing concerns that the accused might interfere with the prosecution's key witness.



The case has been adjourned until February 3, 2025, as the court awaits the bid for the Demand Note's presentation.




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