By Fatima Kpaka
Sierra Leone — November 19, 2025: Magistrate John Manso Fornah of Pademba Road Court No.2 has sentenced Mohamed Chris Fofanah, a staff member of Call to Business Savings and Loans, to three years imprisonment after he was found guilty of defrauding the institution of over NLe417,000.
Fofanah was arraigned on fifteen counts, including conspiracy to defraud and larceny contrary to Section 2 of the Larceny Act of 1916. According to the indictment, between September 1 and October 10, 2025, Fofanah conspired with unknown persons to defraud the Congo Water branch of Call to Business Savings and Loans.
The indictment further alleged that during the same period, he stole NLe417,000 from the company’s branches in Lumley, Central, Eastern, Kambia, and Makeni.
When the charges were read, Fofanah pleaded guilty. Prosecutor Assistant Superintendent of Police Dhalia Wellington told the court that the convict had no previous criminal record.
Defense Counsel Bashiru Bangura pleaded for leniency, stressing that Fofanah was a first-time offender who had not wasted the court’s time by contesting the charges. He urged the Magistrate to impose a minimal sentence rather than a custodial one.
After considering both submissions, Magistrate Fornah sentenced Fofanah to three years imprisonment at the Male Correctional Facility in Freetown. The court also ruled that the convict could avoid imprisonment if he repaid the stolen sum to the bank.