As Police Probe Zenith Bank Sierra Leone Staff, Four on The Run And Two Detained

Police attached to the Criminal Investigations Department of Kenema Police Division is investigating the head of operations, fund transfer officer, head of teller and head of cashier, all staff of Zenith Bank Kenema branch on allegations of conspiracy to commit felony larceny by servant.

According to Detective Sergeant major 1175 Lansana Jajua, a case of conspiracy to commit felony and larceny by servant was reported by Zenith Bank branch manager in Kenema Lahai Dumbuya.

He said the head of operations Francis Ben Charlie, fund transfer officer Solomon Bengor Tuah, Steve Musa ,head of teller and head of cashier were suspected to have conspired and open a dollar and Leone account in the name of one Alhassan Bangura with the intent of rubbing the bank USD20,000.

He said after the opening of the said account, the head of auditors of the bank suspected an attempted to fraudulently transfer USD20,000 into into branch said account and immediately alerted the branch manager in Kenema to monitor the said account.

He said few days later, the manager was instructed to accompany both the head of operations Francis Ben Charlie and the fund transfer officer Solomon Bengor Tuah to Freetown.

Prior to their movement, they both pleaded with the manger to allow them go home and prepare before their departure.

They were however allowed to go and have since not shown up for duty.

Whilst investigation was ongoing, the branch manager of Zenith Bank later informed the police that the USD20,000 which the absconded staff attempted to transfer into the said account was no longer missing.

As Investigation progresses, it was later discovered that staff of the bank used the accounts of both Zainab Kabu and Grace Brima, wife of Solomon Bengor Tuah to transfer cash and withdraw fraudulently.

They were interrogated and asked to be reporting daily at the CID regional office in Kenema until a team of investigators from CID headquarters came to Kenema and took over investigations.

The investigators from CID headquarters however ordered the detention of both Zainab Kabu and Grace Brima whilst investigation continues.