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Two employees of Amnet Filling Station in Makeni, including a station manager and his assistant, have been reportedly remanded at the Male Correctional Centre in Freetown after appearing before Pademba Road Court No. 2 on allegations of conspiracy to defraud and embezzlement.
The accused, 47-year-old Joe Menfallah, the station manager, and 26-year-old Noah Aleem Bun Kamara, an assistant manager, appeared before Magistrate John Manso Fornah to answer to two charges: conspiracy to defraud contrary to law and embezzlement contrary to Section 17(1)(b) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the prosecution, the alleged offences occurred between May 1, 2025, and February 20, 2026, at Amnet Filling Station in Makeni, Bombali Shebora Chiefdom, Northern Province. Prosecutors allege that the two accused conspired with other persons unknown to defraud the filling station.
The second count states that the accused allegedly embezzled Le473,800 received from customers on behalf of the company during the same period.
No plea was taken after the charges were read and explained to the accused persons, as the matter is before the court by way of committal proceedings.
Testifying before the court, DPC 17712 Mohamed Lahun of the Economic, Financial and Fraud Unit attached to the Criminal Investigation Department at Pademba Road said the matter was reported by the complainant, Isatu Bah, on January 23, 2026.
The witness told the court that the investigation was assigned to him and another officer, DPC Amara C.A. He said statements were obtained from the complainant and her witnesses and subsequently tendered as exhibits.
DPC Lahun further testified that investigators received several documents from the complainant, including a Vista Bank statement, records from NPSL Limited, shift handover documents from Amnet Filling Station, and salary payment records. The documents were also tendered in evidence.
He said police investigators later requested assistance from the Makeni Police Division for the arrest of the accused persons. On February 20, 2026, the investigation team travelled to Makeni, where the two accused were arrested and transported to Freetown.
According to the witness, both accused persons made voluntary caution statements in Krio, which were recorded in English. The statements were read and explained to them before they reportedly endorsed them with their right thumbprints. The statements were subsequently tendered before the court.
The court also heard that the accused persons were formally charged on April 17, 2026, following the conclusion of investigations.
At the end of the proceedings, Magistrate Fornah denied bail and ordered that both accused persons be remanded at the Male Correctional Centre pending the continuation of the matter. The case was adjourned to June 26, 2026, for further hearing.
