Kofi Adu Apenteng, Joseph Amadu Bangura, Almedette Olive and a Nurse Sento Momoh all staff of Bloom Bank Africa on Tuesday 7th May 2023, appeared before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court No.2 in Freetown for alleged stealing of over two hundred million New Leones at the above mentioned bank.

The accused persons are charged on three counts, ranging from Conspiracy to defraud and two counts ranging from causing money to be paid to another with intent to defraud.

According to the particulars of offence, it was alleged that on a date between 15th to 18th December 2023 at Bloom Bank Africa, Kissy Road in Freetown, with intent to defraud conspired together and with other persons unknown and defrauded Bloom Bank Africa Sierra Leone Limited the sum of four Thousand United States Dollars equivalent to the sum of Ninety four thousand Leones (94,000).

On count two, the Accused persons on the 15th December 2023 at the said bank with intent to defraud unlawfully caused money to be paid to Sento Momoh by Bloom Bank Africa Sierra Leone Limited to wit the sum of One thousand United States Dollars equivalent to the sum of Twenty three thousand five hundred Leones (23,500) as genuine withdrawals made from Bloom Bank Account number 0034040309661, by the account holder, Enrico Walter, knowing same to be false.

On count three, the accused person on the 18th December 2023 at the said bank with intent to defraud unlawfully caused money to be paid to Sento Momoh by Bloom Bank Africa Sierra Leone Limited, to wit the sum of three thousand United States Dollars equivalent to the sum of seventy thousand five hundred Leones (70,500) as genuine withdrawal made from Bloom Bank Account number 0034040309661 by the account holder Enrico Walter knowing same to be false.

After the charges were read and explained to the accused person, they pleaded not guilty to the offences.

When the matter was called, the Prosecutor DSP Sorie Conteh told the Court that the Defence would like to say something. Upon that, the Lead Defence T.M Conteh told the Court that they are in negotiation with the bank to see that what their clients are accused of comply with the bank to see that they pay the money.

Helping the Lead Defence, the other Defence Counsel M Bangura said they will start to pay half of the money to the bank now, and pay the balance on the next adjourned date.

The amount to be pay was not mentioned but it will be communicated to the Court later.

Upon that Magistrate Bangura adjourned the matter to 14th May 2024.