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Businessman Abdulai Barrie, aged 32, finds himself behind bars after being implicated in a financial fraud case. The proceedings unfolded at Pademba Road Court No.1 in Freetown, where Barrie faced charges of conspiracy to defraud and larceny.
During the preliminary investigation, Barrie opted not to enter a plea, given that it was not a summary trial.
Alongside co-defendants Mohamed Lamin Bah, Ibrahim Sow, and others yet to be identified, Barrie stands accused of defrauding Bloom Bank Sierra Leone Limited of a substantial sum totaling One Million Eight Hundred and Eighty-One Thousand, One Hundred and Fifty-Three New Leones and Ninety-Five cents (Nle 1,881,153.95).
Further complicating matters, Barrie, who operated as a contracted sub-agent for financial remittance on behalf of the bank, faces separate charges related to the misappropriation of funds. Specifically, he is charged with the theft of Eight Hundred and Eighty-One Thousand, One Hundred and Fifty-Three New Leones and Ninety-Five cents (NLe 881,153.95), also belonging to Bloom Bank Sierra Leone Limited.
According to the police charge sheet, the alleged fraudulent activities occurred between November 2nd and 13th, 2023, within the premises of Bloom Bank Sierra Leone Limited. During this period, Barrie, in his capacity as a contracted sub-agent, purportedly siphoned off One Million New Leones (Nle 1,000,000.00) from the bank’s coffers.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Ibrahim Sheik Mansaray sought an adjournment to confer with a key witness, prolonging the legal proceedings. Meanwhile, defense counsel, lawyer C. Campbell, made a bid for bail on behalf of Barrie, a move contested by the prosecution through an affidavit.
In light of the ongoing developments and the gravity of the charges, Magistrate Kekura ordered Barrie’s remand pending further hearings.
