By Fatima Kpaka
Freetown, Sierra Leone – January 30, 2026: Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah of Pademba Road Court No. 1 has issued a bench warrant against Mr. Tamba Mani, Manager of Sky Bank Limited Makeni branch, for failing to appear in court as required.
Mr. Mani is facing four count charges, including:
- Conspiracy to defraud, contrary to law.
- Larceny by servant, contrary to Section 17(1)(a) of the Larceny Act 1916.
- Fraudulent embezzlement, contrary to Section 17(1)(b) of the Larceny Act 1916.
- Money laundering, contrary to Section 25(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating of Financing Terrorism and Financing the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction Act 2024 (Act No. 4 of 2024).
According to the indictment, on August 14, 2025, Mr. Mani, while serving as branch manager, allegedly conspired with unknown persons to defraud Sky Bank Sierra Leone Limited. He is accused of stealing 2,385,000 new Leones from the bank, fraudulently embezzling and converting the funds for his personal use and benefit.
When the matter was mentioned in court on Friday, the defendant was absent. Prosecutor C.S.P. Tommy B. Ziza Esq. applied for a bench warrant against Mr. Mani and his sureties. Magistrate Jah granted the application, ordering that the manager and his sureties be arrested and brought before the court.
The case has been adjourned to February 2, 2026 for continuatio