By Fatima Kpaka
Freetown, Sierra Leone – July 3, 2025: Two former staff members of Bloom Bank Africa appeared in Pademba Road Court No.1 on Thursday, July 3, accused of embezzling over six hundred thousand new Leones (NLe 619,000) meant for electricity top-ups to the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA).
The accused, Musa Joseph Sesay, former Human Resource and Administrative Officer, and Joshua Gbanyah, a dispatch rider, are being tried before Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah on multiple charges including conspiracy, larceny by servant, forgery, and causing money to be paid by false pretenses.
Allegations & Evidence Presented
According to police charges, the alleged offenses occurred between January 2, 2023, and March 31, 2024, while both men were employed by the bank. Police also accused Gbanyah of forging academic documents from the College of Digital Excellence, including a false statement of results supposedly signed by the registrar.
At the latest hearing, Chief Internal Auditor Ernest Ohue testified under cross-examination by Defense Counsel C.C. G. Commoh. Key points from the session included:
– A deposit of NLe 10,000 during the incident period by one Paul Nanason;
– The dispatch rider (Gbanyah) remained in his post during the time of the alleged fraud;
– No direct record of unauthorized withdrawals was found prior to EDSA’s intervention;
– EDSA cut off Bloom Bank’s electricity after discovering non-payment;
– Sesay had resigned a month before the fraud was discovered; and
– Receipts submitted indicate payments were made prior to his resignation
Meter Tampering & Account Closure
The court also heard that EDSA reported meter tampering and a lack of electricity top-ups for an extended period. The account used by Sesay for deposits, 0012011040, was deactivated following his departure from the bank.
Auditor Ohue noted that while no transactional records directly link both accused to unauthorized withdrawals, there is documentation confirming their role in meter recharge processes.
The matter was adjourned for further hearing, with both accused persons continuing on bail as the defense and prosecution prepare for subsequent arguments and witness examinations.