Three Men Arraigned Over Alleged Fraud at Guaranty Trust Bank
By Mamajah Jalloh
Freetown, Sierra Leone
On Wednesday, November 13th, 2024, Patrick Adeyemi Egunnike, a Nigerian national, and two others were arraigned before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Pademba Road Court No. 2 for allegedly falsifying the account of Ibrahim Bazzy and Sons Limited.
The three accused were charged with six counts, including conspiracy to defraud, falsification of accounts, forgery, uttering a forged document, failure to keep records of transactions, and fraudulent conversion of property.
According to the charges, the accused individuals, along with others unknown, are alleged to have conspired to defraud Ibrahim Bazzy and Sons Limited between July 1st, 2015, and July 31st, 2017, in Freetown. The fraud was carried out with the intent to deceive and cause financial harm to the company.
- Count Two states that, on the same dates, the accused persons, again with the intent to defraud, falsified the accounts of Ibrahim Bazzy and Sons Limited.
- Count Three alleges that the accused forged documents, including the signature of Hussein Ibrahim Bazzy, on an offer of banking facility dated July 31st, 2017. They are accused of making it appear as though Hussein Ibrahim Bazzy had signed the document, knowing it to be false.
- Count Four outlines that the accused uttered the forged banking facility offer on the same date, with the intent to defraud.
- Count Five charges that Guaranty Trust Bank failed to keep the required records—specifically, application and acceptance letters—in relation to loans granted to Admiral Trading Limited and Ibrahim Bazzy and Sons Limited.
- Count Six states that, on July 20th, 2017, at Guaranty Trust Bank’s branch on Wilberforce Street in Freetown, the bank fraudulently converted to its own use a title deed for real estate property that had been entrusted to it by Ibrahim Bazzy and Sons Limited, intending to retain the deed in safe custody.
When the charges were read and explained in court, the accused individuals did not enter any pleas. State prosecutor Yusuf Isaac Sesay Esq. informed the court that the defence counsel should make an announcement regarding the absence of certain accused persons, in compliance with a previous court order. He emphasized that this should be done in accordance with court procedures.
Defence Counsel Roland Wright acknowledged the court’s order, explaining that one of the accused was ill and unable to attend the proceedings. He assured the court that the absent individuals would be present at the next hearing and requested a short adjournment.
Magistrate Bangura denied bail and ordered the accused to remain in custody at the Male Correctional Centre in Freetown. The case has been adjourned to November 20th, 2024, for further proceedings.
