Freetown, Sierra Leone – A former employee of Sky Bank Sierra Leone Limited, Musa Konosu, appeared before Magistrate Mustapha Briama Jah at the Pademba Road Court No. 1 on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, to answer to charges of conspiracy to defraud and embezzlement involving over NLe 150,000.
Konosu is accused of fraudulently misappropriating a customs duty payment made by Wadi Aboud and Sons Limited at the National Revenue Authority (NRA) Customs Service Department at Water Quay. The alleged offence took place on January 27, 2025.
Testifying in court, Baimba Sesay, an auditor at Sky Bank, said his responsibilities include conducting audits and investigating fraud within the institution. He confirmed that the accused was formerly employed by the bank and was stationed at the Water Quay branch.
Sesay told the court that on the day of the incident, the bank received a letter of complaint from Wadi Aboud and Sons, alleging that a payment made to the accused for customs duty was not reflected in the NRA system. The letter, which was tendered in court, triggered an internal investigation.
According to the witness, Sky Bank immediately removed Konosu from his position to facilitate a transparent probe and contacted the NRA twice—in letters dated May 13 and June 10, 2025—seeking verification. However, the NRA reportedly failed to respond.
Later, the NRA requested that the accused be presented to them. Konosu was taken to the NRA office, questioned in the presence of finance officials, and subsequently arrested and handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation. The witness also confirmed that he gave a statement to the police.
Under cross-examination by defense counsel Julius Cole, Sesay admitted that the complaint letter submitted by Wadi Aboud and Sons bore the name “Rokel Bank.” However, he clarified that the attached receipt at the back of the letter indicated the payment was made to Sky Bank. He also acknowledged that Rokel Bank and Sky Bank are separate financial institutions.
Konosu is facing two charges: Conspiracy to Defraud, contrary to law, and Embezzlement, contrary to Section 17(1)(b) of the Larceny Act of 1916. The prosecution alleges that he conspired with unknown individuals to defraud Sky Bank of NLe 153,552.58.
He remains on bail, and the matter has been adjourned to July 31, 2025, for continuation.
By Feima Sesay
