By Mamajah Jalloh
The ongoing alleged fraud case involving Dennis Frank Charlie, a 28-year-old basketballer, and Abubakarr Alpha Shaur, a 32-year-old banker, continued on Wednesday, 17th September 2025, before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No. 2. The accused were arraigned on three counts: Conspiracy to Defraud, Larceny, contrary to Section 2 of the Larceny Act 1916, and Causing Money to be Paid by False Pretences, contrary to Section 32 (2) of the same Act.
According to the particulars of offence, on Monday, 16th June 2025, at the Sky Bank Waterloo Branch in the Western Rural District, the accused, with intent to defraud, conspired with persons unknown to defraud Sky Bank Sierra Leone Limited.
The second count alleged that Dennis Frank Charlie, on the same date and place, stole the sum of One Hundred and Forty-Two Thousand Leones (NLe 142,000) using a Sky Bank cheque (No. 00003179) drawn from account number 1070460240101015, property of Sky Bank Sierra Leone Limited.
The third count accused Abubakarr Alpha Shaur of fraudulently causing the payment of NLe 142,000 to one Vandy Boima by means of false pretences.
Both accused persons pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Prosecution Witness One, Hashimatu Isha Sesay, Relationship Manager at Sky Bank, testified under the leadership of Assistant Superintendent of Police Dallia Wellington. She told the court that the accused had confirmed issuing the cheque through WhatsApp messages, which were tendered as Exhibit A1–2. She added that during a July 2025 meeting at the bank to address customer account issues, it was discovered that the first accused’s account was in the negative.
Hashimatu further testified that it was confirmed that the second accused carried out the transaction and authorized the payment of NLe 142,000. She explained that efforts to reach the first accused failed as his phone was switched off, prompting the branch manager to visit his residence. The account details of the first accused were later tendered as Exhibit B1–5.
She added that on 12th August 2025, she received information that the first accused had been arrested at PZ and taken to the CID Headquarters, where he made a statement later tendered as Exhibit C1–12.
Defense counsel A.S. Dumbuya, representing the second accused, applied for bail, arguing that his client is still employed by the bank and has reliable sureties.
Bail was continued for the second accused, and the matter was adjourned to 24th September 2025 for further proceedings.
