In a recent courtroom drama, Moseray, the Administrative Head of Sierra Leone Commercial Bank’s Kissy Road Branch, took the stand to provide pivotal testimony in a case that centers around the alleged theft of a staggering 1 billion Old Leones.
The proceedings were presided over by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Dahlia Wellington.
Moseray, the guardian of deposited funds at the bank, recounted a peculiar episode from December 1, 2022, to January 17, 2023. During his routine morning checks, he stumbled upon an irregular credit of 1 billion Old Leones, conspicuously deposited into Ishmail Sillah’s account.
As Moseray delved into the details, it emerged that the depositor was none other than the second accused, Muctarr Balegu. Upon questioning, Balegu confessed that an external individual without a bank account had entrusted him to facilitate the deposit.
This revelation prompted Moseray to launch an internal investigation, as he uncovered Balegu’s attempt to tamper with the funds by manipulating the transaction. Shockingly, the 1 billion Old Leones were traced back to the Sierra Leone Roads Safety Authority’s (SLRSA) welfare account.
The plot thickened when Moseray disclosed that Ishmail Sillah had issued ten counter cheques to Balegu, a procedure that blatantly violated standard bank protocols. He clarified that a specific bank staff member should have handled such transactions.
In a significant twist, Magistrate Mark Ngegba, despite Lavali’s renewed application for bail, denied bail for both accused parties. He ordered their return to custody at the Male Correctional Center in Freetown.
The suspense continues to mount as the case has been adjourned until Friday, September 1, 2023, with legal proceedings unfolding to uncover the truth behind this daring heist.
