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Businessman Philip Vanjah was remanded in custody by Magistrate Santigie Bangura at the Pademba Road Magistrate Court No. 2 on Tuesday, December 10, following allegations of embezzling SLE 1,205,275 from Fundex Foreign Exchange Bureau.
The accused appeared in court for a preliminary investigation but did not take a plea.
According to police reports, between January and April 2021, Vanjah, who served as the head of the Orange Money section at Fundex, orchestrated an embezzlement scheme. It is alleged that he fraudulently withdrew the sum from Fundex’s account under the pretense of refunding it but failed to do so.
Testifying under oath, Assistant Superintendent of Police Juan M.S. Bull led prosecution witness Alieu M. Jalloh, the Regional Manager of Fundex. Jalloh identified Vanjah in court and recounted how the accused exploited his position to misappropriate funds. Jalloh testified that despite informing the company’s CEO about the situation, Vanjah refused to refund the money, prompting the company to report him to the police.
Defense counsel F. Bayoh renewed a previous bail application, arguing for the accused’s release. However, Magistrate Bangura denied the plea, citing the seriousness of the allegations. He subsequently ordered Vanjah’s remand at Pademba Road Correctional Center and adjourned the case to December 18, 2024.
